Prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said on Friday that he would fast unto death in sub-zero temperature if the talks between civil society leaders of Ladakh and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials on Saturday did not succeed. He said that the government under the “influence of industrial lobby” does not want to ensure constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
“These lobbies want to exploit Ladakh, like what they have done in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand where the locals are now paying a price,” Mr. Wangchuk told The Hindu.
He said it was a myth that inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution would hamper development. “It will give local people a say in development. It will ensure councils of indigenous tribal people who must be consulted in all projects and the management of Ladakh. Presently, the Lieutenant Governor can allot openings for minings and industries to whoever he wants. This is what the Ladakhi people fear the most,” he said.
