Leh Apex Body withdraws its Pashmina March on April 7 to 'avoid confrontation with law-enforcement agencies'

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) on Saturday withdrew its proposed 'Pashmina March' by Sonam Wangchuk to the Changthang border on April 7 in order to 'avoid confrontation with the law-enforcement agencies', PTI reported. This comes after the administration had imposed section 144 in Leh on April 5.

The administration had stated that there are reliable inputs of apprehension of breach of peace and tranquillity in the district.

The LAB confirmed their success in raising awareness about farmers' struggles. They highlighted the loss of land to industrial projects in the south and alleged "Chinese encroachments" in the north.


The group plans to sustain peaceful protests, advocating for Ladakh's statehood and inclusion in the sixth schedule of the Constitution as key demands.

Wangchuk had termed the admin's decision "unfortunate" and an "overreaction", which he said could be a ploy to instigate peaceful protestors of Ladakh and later blame them for unlawful activities.

"It is desirable that any breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquillity and danger to human life should be immediately prevented...no procession, rally or march, no public gathering, no person should make a statement to disrupt communal harmony," said a statement issued on Friday by the district magistrate of Leh.