Wangchuk, a Magsaysay Awardee, was arrested in Leh town of Ladakh region in connection with violence during his demonstrations in Leh on demand of statehood last week.
Photo: IANS
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has reiterated his demand for the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from the Jodhpur Central Jail.
Wangchuk is not a terrorist or hardcore criminal, his contribution in social work in spheres of climate, education and environment have been highly acclaimed at the national and international level. The way he is being treated – his detention under NSA and shifting to Jodhpur, far away from the Leh- Ladakh is just inhuman. It is not befitting for a renowned social worker like him, Gehlot said in chat with the media here Friday.
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Wangchuk, a Magsaysay Awardee, was arrested in Leh town of Ladakh region in connection with violence during his demonstrations in Leh on demand of statehood last week. After being booked under the National Security Act (NSA), he was shifted to the high security Jodhpur Jail late Friday night last week.
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The activist’s wife has also been pleading for his innocence, and writing to the government repeatedly to seek his release, he said, adding the government should consider her demand seriously without any further delay, Gehlot added.
On Thursday also, a group of Gandhian activists while celebrating the Gandhi Jayanti at the Gandhi Adhyayan Kendra here, formed a human chain expressing solidarity with Wangchuk and demanding his immediate release.
The CPM sitting Lok Sabha Member from Sikar, Amra Ram, also opposed the activist’s arrest under the NSA. The MP travelled to Jodhpur along with a small CPM delegation to meet Wangchuk in the Jail on Tuesday. However, he was denied permission and advised by authorities to convey solidarity and support to the activist through a letter.
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