Sonam Wangchuk's 21-day-hunger strike
'Will continue for 3 more days'
Despite his supporters' request to stop, Wangchuk said that he will continue for three more days, as initially planned.
2000 people came to protest site: Wangchuk
Sonam Wangchuk said that around 2,000 people had come to his protest site in the city of Leh to show their support on Saturday.
Sonam demands statehood
Sonam Wangchuk is demanding for statehood and Sixth Schedule implementation for Ladakh. The Sixth Schedule ensures land protection and autonomy for tribal areas.
Alleges encroachment of land by Chinese
Sonam Wangchuk alleges that they are losing prime pasture land to huge industrial plants to the south & Chinese encroachment to the north. He further said that to show ground reality we're planning a Border March of 10,000 Ladakhi shepherds & farmers soon.
Wangchuk also demands separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil
Wangchuk further demands separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil, job opportunities for locals, and Public Service Commission for Leh and Kargil districts in Ladakh.
Wangchuk protest against industrialization
Wangchuk raises concerns over environmental damage caused by industrialisation. He criticizes government for imposing 13-gigawatt project without consulting locals.
'Will fast again'
Wangchuk said that his supporters have asked him to end his strike early due to deteriorating health. However, he said that even after it ends, local people will take it in turns to go on hunger strikes until he regains sufficient strength to fast again.
Ladakh currently has one LS seat
Ladakh, previously part of Jammu and Kashmir, now stands as a Union Territory without an assembly. The region had four representatives in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Currently, Ladakh has a single Lok Sabha constituency.