"Had CRPF not used tear gas, protest would have been peaceful": Sonam Wangchuk's wife calls situation in Leh "sad and unfortunate"

Leh (Ladakh) [India], September 30(ANI): Following activist Sonam Wangchuk's arrest and the imposition of a curfew in Leh, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo described the situation as "sad and unfortunate" and slammed the authorities for imposing restrictions on a community that, according to her, has long been known for its peace and patriotism.
Speaking to ANI, Angmo stated that the curfew imposed on the pretext of "youth protest" is condemnable, claiming that it was "peace-loving," and that it was the CRPF's use of tear gas that inhibited the protest from being peaceful.
"Whatever has happened in Leh over the past six days and in the first four years is a very sad and unfortunate incident. No one is more peace-loving, patriotic, and nationalist than the people of Leh... First of all, imposing curfew in such areas is absolutely wrong, and we condemn it. Secondly, we condemn the reason given for this curfew, which is the youth protest. Because the youth were protesting in a peace-loving manner that day. Had the CRPF not used tear gas, this would have been a very peaceful protest..." Wanghchuk's wife said.
Angomo also claimed that her husband's protests have always been in a Gandhian manner, and that he has inspired the youth and cared about people's hardships.
"Over the past five years, Sonam Wangchuk's fasts and marches advocating for the implementation of the sixth schedule have been conducted in a genuinely Gandhian manner, emphasising absolute non-violence. Sonam Wangchuk is more than just a scientist; he inspires young people. People respect him not only for his scientific achievements but also because he is a humanitarian who truly cares about people's hardships... He spent his life on grassroots education. Why would someone like this instigate violent protests and be blamed? This has never happened before..." she told ANI.
She added, "This situation is so sad that you are giving the wrong branding to a very peaceful place..."
The wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, in the ANI interview, also slammed the police on allegations that were levelled against her husband in connection with recent unrest in Leh.
"We strongly condemn the DGP's statements. Not only I, but everyone in Ladakh denounces those allegations," Angmo told ANI.
She claimed that the narrative against Wangchuk was being "fabricated to blame and frame someone" while avoiding the demand for implementation of the Sixth Schedule.
Describing the events as "very unfortunate," she questioned the role of security forces. "We ask: Who gave the CRPF orders to open fire? Who shoots at their own people, their own citizens? Especially in an area where there has never been a violent demonstration," she said.
Rejecting claims that her husband had instigated any unrest, she insisted Wangchuk was engaged in peaceful protest elsewhere, saying, "What could Sonam Wangchuk have instigated? He had no idea about all this. He was somewhere else, where he was on a hunger strike."
She also accused the police of working with an "agenda".
"Whatever the DGP is saying, he has an agenda. They don't want to implement the 6th Schedule under any circumstances and want to make someone a scapegoat," she alleged.
Meanwhile, Prohibitions under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, continue to be imposed in Leh following the violence on September 24. Assembling five or more persons is prohibited in the district; no procession, rally, or march is to be carried out without prior written approval.
Security personnel remain deployed across Leh. People of Ladakh have been demanding the inclusion of the Union Territory in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution contains Articles 244(2) and 275(1), which read, "Provisions as to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram." A total of 44 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals. (ANI)