New Delhi supporters of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who were detained at the Delhi border on September 30, said on Sunday that the detention was a huge disappointment for them and alleged that they were treated like “terrorists” upon reaching the national capital.

Under the leadership of Wangchuk, around 150 ‘padyatris’ from Ladakh started a ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ from Leh on September 1, and on reaching Delhi on the night of September 30, were arrested for ‘violating’ prohibitory orders and were taken to various police stations brought. They were held until finally transferred to Rajghat on October 2.

The protesters’ demands include the status of Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

On Sunday, Wangchuk fasted at Ladakh Bhawan in Delhi along with a dozen supporters after being denied permission for a sit-in at Jantar Mantar.

Gurmet Dorjay, former executive councilor of Korzok, who was among those who took part in the padyatra, said they are raising a demand that the BJP has promised more than once in its manifestos.

“We have a sincere demand, we are not asking for stars. They had adhered to the sixth schedule in their manifesto… they gave a check which bounced,” Dorjay, 55, told PTI.

He alleged that the padyatris were treated like “terrorists” upon reaching Delhi.

“When people come from other parts of the country, we welcome them. But we were treated like terrorists. For 150 people, they deployed hundreds of police officers,” he said.

He also claimed that on Tuesday evening, when the 24-hour detention ended, police took them into buses, drove them around for a few hours, brought them back and arrested them again.

According to the law, a person may not be held for more than 24 hours.

Dorjay also expressed concern about a mega solar energy project to be developed in Korzok.

“In the last five years, so much destruction has happened in eastern Ladakh. We have heard that 20,000 hectares of land has been earmarked for a solar energy project in Changthang’s Pang area, which is being opposed by locals, including Pashmina goat nomads.

“Goats in the area produce the best Pashmina. Nearly 300 to 500 families will lose their livelihood… We are losing 80 km of land,” he said.

Sonam Wangdus, an octogenarian who hails from Nubra Valley and served in the Indian Army, said even though they have blisters on their feet, they had to march to save the future of Ladakh.

“I served in the army for 28 years, I am still always ready to serve the nation,” he said, adding that “we do it for the future generations so that our children and grandchildren do not have to suffer later.”

Liaqat, a youth from Kargil, said they felt bad about the way they were detained as they had come peacefully and had not disrupted law and order.

“It felt like Delhi is not for Ladakhis. I feel sad that our voices are being suppressed,” Liaqat said.

He said their journey to Chandigarh was good and locals and villagers helped them by providing them food and shelter.

“We stayed at temples, gurudwaras and monasteries on the way to Delhi. But when we reached the national capital, hundreds of police officials were waiting to detain us,” he said.

Sonam Wangchuk, a Buddhist lama who is the climate activist’s namesake, claimed that protesters were forced to sleep on the floor of police stations while in custody, but said neither that nor the difficulties along the way could deter them.

“We have blisters, but we are full of energy. These wounds will be better in a few weeks, but the heartache we have will not go away unless our demands are met,” said Wangchuk, who sat quickly and wore a yellow T- wore shirt with ‘Ladakh demands that a sixth schedule be printed on it, PTI told.

The Lama is among those who joined the climate activist’s fast on Sunday.

On Saturday, a majority of the protesters returned to Ladakh, while the remainder stayed behind to join Wangchuk for the fast.

The ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ was organized by the Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance has been spearheading an agitation for the past four years to demand statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts, among others.

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