Highlights: In northern India, a demonstration canceled in Ladakh. Gatherings prohibited and Internet cut. The inhabitants of this Himalayan territory are demanding their own government as well as guarantees against expansionism. The revolt is led by Sonam Wangchuk, a famous educator and activist who is demanding statehood with a Parliament for Ladakh, which was formerly part of the state of Kashmir. In 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed the autonomy of Kashmir, now divided into two distinct administrative entities: Jammu and Kashmir, predominantly populated by Muslims.

Gatherings prohibited and Internet cut. The situation is tense in Ladakh in India. The inhabitants of this Himalayan territory are demanding their own government as well as guarantees against expansionism...

In northern India, a demonstration canceled in Ladakh

Residents of Ladakh take part in a protest. They demand constitutional guarantees for their mountainous region in Leh, India, Sunday March 24, 2024. © REUTERS - Stringer

By: RFI with AFP

With our correspondent in New Delhi

Côme Bastin

Ladakh is a region difficult to access and under heavy military surveillance, sandwiched between Chinese Tibet, Pakistani and Indian Kashmir, two areas whose borders are disputed and where India sometimes clashes with its neighbors. Only 250,000 people live there, several thousand meters above sea level.

The revolt is led by Sonam Wangchuk, a famous educator and activist who is demanding statehood with a Parliament for Ladakh, which was formerly part of the state of Kashmir. In 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed the autonomy of Kashmir, now divided into two distinct administrative entities: Jammu and Kashmir, predominantly populated by Muslims, and Ladakh with a Buddhist majority, which had become a territory of the Union administered directly by New Delhi.

LEH IS BEING TURNED INTO A WAR ZONE

with disproportionate force, barricades, smoke grenades.

Attempts to arrest peaceful youth leaders even singers continues. Seems they want to turn a most peaceful movement violent & then brand Ladakhis as anti-nationals.

Govt seems worried… pic.twitter.com/851iI8ZWHY

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) April 6, 2024

Along with other residents, Sonam Wangchuk is on a hunger strike. It is precisely along the border that he had planned a big march this Sunday, to attract attention: “

The aim of the march was to highlight the plight of the nomadic tribes who are losing their lands due to incursions Chinese companies in the north as well as the appropriation of land by Indian companies,

indicates Sonam Wangchuk

. But the government overreacted, transformed the capital into a war zone, and we preferred to cancel this march

. »

In this Buddhist region, several organizations have indicated that they will continue the fight to obtain the same rights as in the rest of India.

In northern India, a demonstration canceled in Ladakh

In northern India, a demonstration canceled in Ladakh

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