Munish Sood
MANDI:
Several people’s organisations and civil society groups from Himachal Pradesh organised a joint press conference in Mandi and strongly condemned the recent police firing on protesters in Ladakh, in which four civilians lost their lives and more than 50 were injured.
The groups declared full solidarity with the ongoing non-violent movement in Ladakh and demanded immediate dialogue between the government and the people to resolve their constitutional and democratic demands.
“Suppressing a peaceful movement with bullets and batons is unacceptable,” said Guman Singh, convener of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan. “The government’s duty is to prevent violence, not push non-violent protesters towards it. The voices of Ladakh must be heard, and their demands for autonomy, representation, and environmental safeguards are constitutional and justified.”
Speaking at the press conference, Bailey Ram Kondal, president of the Land Acquisition Affected Forum, criticised the Centre’s response: “Instead of initiating talks, the authorities are trying to malign climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and intimidate activists through baseless probes and withdrawal of land given to institutions. This is vendetta politics and must stop immediately.”
Joginder Walia, president of the Four-Lane Sangharsh Samiti (Kiratpur-Manali), told reporters: “The same story is playing out across the Himalayas – highways, hydropower projects and mining are being pushed at the cost of local lives and fragile ecology. The tragedy in Ladakh is a warning sign.”
Ecological concerns raised
The organisations, through their joint media statement, also expressed alarm over massive construction, power, and mining projects planned in Ladakh. These include a 13 GW solar and wind project covering 48,000 acres, seven hydropower projects with 2,070 MW capacity, a 20,000 MW transmission line, a 490 km Bilaspur–Leh railway, and extensive mining for rare minerals like lithium and thorium.
“The push for mega projects and mining will devastate Ladakh’s glaciers, ecology and tribal livelihood systems,” said Advocate Hem Singh of the Seraj Disaster Suggestion Forum at the conference. “Development without ecological wisdom is a recipe for repeated disasters in the Himalayas.”
Narendra Sain, president of Dev Bhoomi Paryavaran Raksha Manch, said: “The Himalayas are already suffering from climate-triggered calamities. Adding more stress through blind exploitation will not just harm Ladakh but the entire region.”
4 demands put before Centre
The press conference concluded with a set of demands addressed to the central government:
- Withdrawal of NSA against Sonam Wangchuk, immediate release of arrested protesters, compensation for victims’ families and a judicial probe into the police firing.
- Immediate talks with Ladakh’s representatives on statehood, Sixth Schedule status, job reservations and two parliamentary seats.
- A moratorium on destructive mega projects in Ladakh and across the Himalayas.
- Framing of a comprehensive Himalayan Policy based on ecology, geology and local participation.
“Ladakhis have always stood firm for national security. Giving them democratic rights and protecting their fragile ecology is not only their right but also in the nation’s best interest,” said Amar Singh Raghwa, state adviser, Sarvjan Sanrakshan Samiti, while addressing the journalists.
The joint press conference was attended by leading figures, including Advocate Desh Raj (former president, Bar Council of HP), Sant Ram (president, MGNREGA & All Workers Union HP), Leeladhar Chauhan (chairman, AAS Foundation), Birbal Sharma (Archaeological Awareness Union, Mandi), Balak Ram (BSL Displaced Welfare Committee, Pandoh), Ajit Rathore (state secretary, MGNREGA & All Workers Union HP), and Rajendra Mohan (councillor, Mandi Municipal Corporation).
