‘A thriller fit for a movie’: Sonam Wangchuk on NSA arrest

Srinagar: Environmentalist and member of Leh Apex Body (LAB) Golden Wangchuck On Tuesday, he likened his arrest to a “non-fiction thriller” that could be made into a movie, but declared that he was ready to move beyond his prison experience and have meaningful conversations, as reflected by the Center’s recent revocation of his detention under the National Security Act (NSA).Wangchuck called for “constructive dialogue” three days after his release from Jodhpur jail in September last year after he was arrested from Leh over violence during protests for Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule status. He said this would ensure a “win-win” situation not only for himself but also for Ladakh and the government.Wangchuck, speaking to reporters in Delhi alongside his lawyer Vivek Tankha, said the NSA’s removal and the Center’s mention of meaningful dialogue reflected what he and others had been fighting for during the long-running protests. He recalled that he had earlier walked from Leh to Delhi, went on a long hunger strike and was even jailed for dialogue.

Wangchuck hopes the Supreme Court – where his NSA detention is being challenged – will record a verdict despite being overturned, in order to guide future administrative actions, especially in the use of such a strict law.He stressed that public sentiment in Ladakh was in favor of dialogue. “Even in yesterday’s (Monday’s) rally (for statehood and Sixth Schedule), the demand was to resume negotiations. Where do you find a place like this and people like this? Usually you find people leaving the conversation table and taking up guns. Here there are calls for the government to demand that it come to the discussion table.”Wangchuck expressed hope that he could return to Ladakh soon to hold consultations with leaders of the Labor Party and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and “share positive developments in the coming days.” Wangchuck said: “Negotiation is a process of concessions, and both parties must be thoughtful and flexible.”