Ladakh leaders welcome Wangchuk's release, demand others' freedom
New Delhi (PTI): Leaders from Ladakh on Saturday welcomed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's release from Jodhpur jail and demanded the release of remaining detainees.
Wangchuk was released from prison on Saturday after the Union government revoked his detention with immediate effect.
Ladakh MP Mohamad Hanifa hailed his release and urged the government to accept their demands for statehood and protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
"We welcome the release of Sonam Wangchuk. But others also need to be released, and the government should also take back the cases filed against people who participated in the protests," Hanifa told PTI.
The Union Home Ministry, in its statement, commented on the law and order situation in the Union Territory.
"... prevailing atmosphere of bandhs and protests has been detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely affected various sections of the community, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators and tourists and overall economy," it said.
Hanifa, however, said protest is a Constitutional right, and urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue.
"If our voice is not heard in any other way, then there is another way to protest. We have always protested peacefully from day one, and we believe in peaceful protests. This is to make our voice reach the government," he said.
"We have always said that we want a solution to these issues through dialogue," he said.
Kargil-based politician and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) member Sajjad Kargili, in a post on X, demanded the immediate release of Deldan Namgial and Smanla Dorjey, and appealed to the government to drop all charges against other detainees unconditionally.
"The revocation of NSA against Shri Sonam Wangchuk is a welcome move. However, our struggle of our legitimate rights continues," he said.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh.
More than 45 people, including 22 policemen, were injured in the protests.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Traffic curbs likely in central Delhi for IPL match on April 8: Police
New Delhi (PTI): Traffic movement in central Delhi is likely to be affected on April 8 in view of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, police said.
According to an advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic Police, congestion is expected on key stretches around the stadium from 12 pm to midnight, with the match between the Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans scheduled between 7 pm and 10.30 pm.
The advisory said that, depending on traffic conditions, diversions and restrictions may be imposed on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg during the day.
Movement of heavy and commercial vehicles will remain prohibited on these corridors, including stretches between Daryaganj and Delhi Gate, Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk, and ITO to Delhi Gate, the advisory read.
Commuters have been advised to avoid JLN Marg (Rajghat to Delhi Gate), Asaf Ali Road (Turkman Gate to Delhi Gate), and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg (Delhi Gate to ITO) in both carriageways, it added.
Entry to the stadium will be regulated through designated gates, with access routes divided across the south, east and west sides via Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg.
The police said parking near the stadium will be restricted, with facilities available only for labelled vehicles.
According to the advisory, free parking, along with park-and-ride services, has been arranged at Mata Sundari Road, Rajghat Power House Road and Velodrome Road. Shuttle bus services will operate from these locations starting two hours before the match and continuing until one hour after it concludes, it added.
Additionally, app-based taxi pick-up and drop-off points have been designated at Gate No. 2 near Maulana Azad Medical College, Rajghat Chowk and the service lane on Ring Road between IP Flyover and Rajghat.
Vehicles found parked illegally on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, JLN Marg and the Ring Road stretch between Rajghat and IP Flyover will be towed and prosecuted, the advisory read.
