New Delhi, Sept 30,: The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), one of India’s oldest human rights organisations, has condemned what it described as the throttling of fundamental freedoms in Ladakh following the recent violence in Leh that left four people dead and more than 150 injured.
In a statement issued by PUCL President Kavita Srivastava and General Secretary V. Suresh, the group demanded that the Union Government immediately roll back repressive measures and initiate steps to restore normalcy.
“The right to speech, association, and assembly in Ladakh is being throttled. The government must urgently act to protect democratic rights and address the legitimate demands of the people,” the statement said.
The PUCL demanded an independent judicial inquiry into the September 24 incident of violence and firing on protesters, which resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to scores of others. It called for full medical support for the injured and compensation for the families of the deceased, including a permanent government job for one member of each bereaved family.
The rights group urged the government to release all arrested and detained protesters to facilitate a democratic dialogue. It also sought the immediate release of noted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been booked under the National Security Act (NSA) and shifted to Jodhpur Jail.
“Withdraw the charges foisted against Sonam Wangchuk under the draconian NSA and ensure his safe return to Leh,” PUCL leaders demanded.
The organisation further called on authorities to revoke prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (previously Section 144 of the CrPC), which bars the assembly of more than four persons in Leh. PUCL said normalcy must be restored by reopening courts, schools, shops, and other establishments and by removing barricades that restrict free movement.
It also pressed for the restoration of mobile internet services, describing digital access as a constitutional right under Article 19(1)(a).
The PUCL emphasised the need for a meaningful dialogue between the Union Government, the Leh Apex Body (LAB), and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on Ladakh’s core demands. Chief among these are the grant of statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect land, resources, and cultural identity.
The group also demanded a moratorium on all mega projects and land transfers in Ladakh, including the proposed solar and wind park in Changthang covering 48,000 acres, until such constitutional safeguards are in place.
The PUCL statement went further, urging the government to repeal laws it considers repressive, including the NSA, which it said violates freedoms of speech, expression, and movement, and the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which it argued undermines the right to association and human rights defenders.
The PUCL said the only path forward was through dialogue and democratic engagement. “The government must end repressive measures and resume talks with the people of Ladakh on all their legitimate and democratic demands,” the statement concluded. [KNT]
