Speaking publicly for the first time since her release from jail, environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk termed her release under NSA as a ‘win-win’ development and said the Center has extended a hand to establish meaningful dialogue with the people of Ladakh.
Wangchuk was addressing the press conference along with his wife and HIAL co-founder Gitanjali J Angmo. He said that the main objective of the protests taking place in Ladakh was only to start a constructive dialogue process.
Wangchuk said that we were sure of victory in the court, but mere victory was not enough. I wanted it to be a win-win. He described the government’s action as extending a hand to build trust and enable meaningful dialogue. Wangchuk said that all the movements were made in Ladakh with the aim of starting dialogue.
Now he will go to Ladakh to consult the leaders of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), who have been leading the movement for the demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule for the last five years.
Wangchuk, 59, was detained under the NSA on September 26 last year, two days after four people were killed in violent protests. He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday after the Center terminated his custody with immediate effect.
LAB and KDA have been continuously engaged in talks with the Home Ministry and have discussed their key demands of statehood and extension of the Sixth Schedule. Both the organizations also organized rallies and bandh on Monday demanding the release of Wangchuk and 70 other prisoners.