Ladakh L-G asks Wangchuk to avoid 'rabble rousing'

NEW DELHI: Ladakh L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday asked Sonam Wangchuk to desist from "weaving a misleading and provocative narrative" about the situation in the UT, in criticism of the activist's recent comments that feared Manipur-like social divisions in the border region and indicated his support to Cockroach Janta Party.

Saxena said he had a candid conversation with Wangchuk and his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, who championed her husband's cause when he was in detention.

He said, "Democratic expression must not be taken as licence for fabricating falsehoods and rabble rousing. He (Wangchuk) accepted that comparing the situation of Ladakh with Manipur was an error of judgement. He also said he was unsure of the origins of Cockroach Janta Party and would study the motivations of its founders and revisit his stand, if necessary."

Saxena added that he told Wangchuk to abjure from weaving a misleading and provocative narrative, which vitiates public discourse. He said repeated rallies and protests, despite positive developments initiated by the Centre, would have a negative impact on economic activities in the tourism space, which is the backbone of Ladakh.

"Wangchuk appreciated the positive development initiatives like Him Sarovar project, restoration of Igoo Phey Canal, construction of Mahe-Topko Canal and massive pla-ntation drives, undertaken in the recent days," he said.

Wangchuk had recently said though his release order referred to creating "an environment of trust", the reality on the ground did not reflect these assurances. "Last week was very negative. There was conflict everywhere. I thought Ladakh would become another Manipur; it was heading in that direction," he had said.