Civil society group People for Himalaya on Monday said that the arrest of activist Sonam Wangchuk was an assault on democratic rights and the freedom to dissent.

The group alleged that the arrest of Wangchuk under the National Security Act on Friday was a blatant attempt to silence the voices of the people of Ladakh “who have been raising legitimate concerns about their constitutional rights, livelihoods and environment”.

Wangchuk should be released immediately and charges against him must be withdrawn, the group demanded during a press conference.

Four persons were killed in police firing during protests on Wednesday demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Demonstrators clashed with and threw stones at the police, and set

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