SRINAGAR: According to media reports, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) retracted its planned ‘Pashmina March’ by Sonam Wangchuk to the Changthang border on April 7, citing the desire to prevent clashes with law enforcement agencies.
This decision follows the imposition of Section 144 in Leh on April 5 by the administration, citing reliable information about the possibility of disturbances to peace and tranquility in the district.
The LAB affirmed their success in raising awareness about the struggles of farmers, highlighting issues such as loss of land to industrial projects in the south and alleged “Chinese encroachments” in the north. They said that they intend to continue peaceful protests, advocating for Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion in the sixth schedule of the Constitution.
Ahead of the scheduled Pashmina Border March on Sunday, the Ladakh administration imposed Section 144 in Leh, prohibiting the organisation of processions, rallies, or marches. Additionally, high-speed mobile internet services were suspended for a 24-hour period from Saturday evening to Sunday evening.
Section 144 prohibits large assemblies of four or more people. Sonam Wangchuk, slated to lead the civil society march towards the China border, expressed dismay over the restrictions, alleging that authorities were preventing people from other villages from joining the “peaceful” demonstration in Leh.
“It is desirable that any breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquillity and danger to human life should be immediately prevented…no procession, rally or march, no public gathering, no person should make a statement to disrupt communal harmony,” reads a statement issued on Friday by the district magistrate of Leh.
