Ladakh groups repeat judicial probe call in meeting with Chief Secretary

SRINAGAR: Civil society members held a confidence-building meeting with the Leh administration on Thursday, reiterating their demand for a judicial probe led by a Supreme Court judge into the killing of four people on September 24.

The civil society members demanded that the police stop further detentions and excesses they have been doing since the September 24 protests in which four people were killed and 80 others injured. Civil society representatives, including leaders from Buddhist and Muslim communities, participated in the meeting with the chief secretary of Ladakh, Pawan Kotwal.

"If the situation has to be normalised, the administration has to stop further arrests and excesses of the police and announce an independent judicial probe led by an SC judge into the killing of the four Ladakhis," said Chering Dorjay, co-chairman of the Apex Body Leh which, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, is striving for statehood, implementation of Sixth Schedule, two Lok Sabha seats and a separate Public Service Commission.


"If our demands are met, we are ready for talks. We are for normalisation of the situation and restoration of peace on the ground," said Dorjay.

The civil society members expressed gratitude to people from across the country for supporting Ladakh. "We demand the release of Sonam Wangchuk and because of whom our voice was heard in every nook and corner of the country," said Dorjay.

Meanwhile, Leh Bar Association president, advocate Muhammad Shafi, informed that 40 detainees have been released on bail till now and at least 35-40 are still in police custody.

"Police are taking detainees in judicial custody for questioning and have arrested at least four more people in last two days. This has to stop," said Shafi, adding, "The government has to give a healing touch to its people to normalise the situation." He said bail hearings of some more detainees are scheduled for next two days. "Nobody was released on bail in the last two days. We expect a few more people to be released," said Shafi.