Wangchuk fires new salvo: Judicial probe

Jailed social activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded a judicial inquiry into the killing of four people during the September 24 statehood protest in Ladakh, declaring his willingness to remain behind bars until the demand is fulfilled.

- Manish Godha

He communicated his message through an online post shared by his lawyer, Mustafa Haji, who, along with Wangchuk's elder brother Tsetan Dorje Ley, was granted special permission to meet him at Jodhpur jail on Saturday.

While the Ladakh administration has already announced a magisterial probe, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) have rejected the move.

Both bodies, leading the statehood stir, have decided to boycott talks with the Centre on October 6 until a judicial probe is initiated and all detained individuals, including Wangchuk, are freed.