SRINAGAR: Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) released Monday photos of youth leaders from Leh Apex Body (LAB) arrested after the September 24 violence in Leh and urged their immediate release.KDA’s Sajjad Kargili said among the arrested are climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Jigmet Paljor, Imtiyaz Hussain, Irfan Bari, Chosphel, and about 30 others.“They face charges that appear unfounded,” he said. “Such actions are deepening the trust deficit between people and the administration. We once again urge governmebnt to adopt a wise and sensitive approach by ensuring the early release of these leaders, who have always stood for peaceful and democratic means.”Kargili said no one has been held accountable for the September 24 firing by security forces on protesters demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh, which left four people dead and over 70 wounded. Following the violence, authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions, suspended mobile internet, and arrested more than 70 people, including Wangchuk.Kargili demanded an impartial judicial inquiry into the killings to “ensure justice and restore people’s faith in the system”, adding that KDA would not resume dialogue with the Centre until all those arrested are freed and a probe is ordered. Union home ministry had announced Oct 6 as the date for talks with Ladakh groups, but both LAB and KDA withdrew after the Leh firing, insisting on a judicial inquiry led by a retired Supreme Court judge and release of all arrested people.LAB constituent Leh Bar Association rejected police claims that the violence was premeditated.Its president Mohd Shafi Lassu said 73 people were arrested, of whom 42 have been granted bail, while around 30 remain in judicial custody.“The allegations are baseless. They claim the violence happened because of the hunger strike, but the area where Wangchuk was fasting remained peaceful,” Lassu said.The unrest came amid Wangchuk’s hunger strike, launched on September 10 to press for Sixth Schedule and statehood. The clashes and fatal firing prompted him to call off his fast. He was arrested on September 26 under NSA.
