Wangchuk to Lead Symbolic 20-km Leh March on Anniversary of Ladakh Killings

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk will lead a 20-km march in Leh next week to mark the first anniversary of the civilian killings in Ladakh, an event he said would be observed as "shaheed diwas".

The march, originally planned to begin in Kargil and culminate in Leh on September 24, has been shortened to a symbolic 20-km padyatra in Leh on September 23. Announcing the change on social media, Wangchuk cited the dropping temperatures in Ladakh and what he described as a warming of the political climate.

"I had earlier spoken to you about the padyatra in support of the efforts for conservation of Ladakh's culture, environment and democracy. However, as it is getting colder and the warming up of the political climate, we will hold a symbolic 20 km march in Leh on the 23rd," he said.

On September 24 last year, four civilians were killed and 44 injured when police opened fire after a protest demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh turned violent in Leh. The shutdown had been called by student and youth organisations after two elderly persons fainted during a hunger strike announced by Wangchuk, who was on the fast at the time of the incident. He was subsequently booked under the National Security Act and held in Jodhpur jail for six months.

A judicial inquiry into the firing was conducted, but its findings have not been made public.

Ahead of the anniversary, the Ladakh administration on Sunday announced compensation for the families of the four persons killed and for those injured during the protests, meeting one of the demands of the Union Territory's two representative bodies. Of the Rs 1.52 crore sanctioned, Rs 15 lakh each will go to the families of the four deceased. Those with major injuries will receive Rs 3 lakh each, while protesters with minor injuries will get Rs 1 lakh each.