Leh, March 16 Hundreds of people participated in a rally in Leh town under tight security, while Kargil observed a shutdown on Monday in response to a call by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to support their demands for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to Ladakh.
This was the first major rally organized by LAB since the violence that erupted during protests in September, which prompted authorities to take action. It also came two days after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released by the Centre after nearly six months in detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
The Director General of Police of Ladakh, Mukesh Singh, visited the rally site at Singay Namgyal Chowk in Leh to assess the security arrangements, with additional police and security personnel deployed across the town to maintain law and order.
Led by LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay, the protesters began from Singay Namgyal Chowk and marched to the Leh polo ground, with participants, including a significant number of women, chanting slogans in support of the demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.
Some of the participants were also seen carrying pictures of the four people who were killed in firing after a LAB-sponsored protest rally turned violent in September last year.
Kargil and the adjoining Drass observed a complete shutdown in response to the joint call given by LAB and KDA, the two groups that have been spearheading the agitation over the issues of statehood and the Sixth Schedule over the past five years.
No untoward incidents were reported, officials said.
Speaking to reporters in Leh, Dorjay thanked the people for turning up in large numbers for the rally despite the barricading of roads and the imposition of restrictions by the administration.
"I would like to congratulate the people of Ladakh for maintaining complete peace despite strong provocation," said the LAB leader, describing the rally as a "big success".
He said that there are some people who try to claim that the Apex Body has no public support. "Today, the people of Ladakh have demonstrated that the public stands with the Apex Body and the KDA," he said.
Wangchuk, a prominent leader of the agitation, was detained under the NSA in September for allegedly instigating violence during the protests.
The Centre announced on Saturday that it was revoking Wangchuk's detention in order to "facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders".