Administration cancels land lease of Sonam Wangchuk’s HIAL, activist terms it ‘attack on Ladakh’ | India News

SRINAGAR: The Ladakh administration’s transfer to cancel the land allotment of Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL), based by environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, has led to sharp criticism from the area’s two largest political actions — Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).“We believe this is a witch hunt. It seems like a conspiracy to harass and intimidate people,” LAB representatives stated at a press convention in Leh. “Sonam Wangchuk is very vocal about the rights of the people of Ladakh at national and international level. We see this as an attempt to silence the voices of Ladakh one by one. But we will not be scared. All leadership stands with him.”Wangchuk, on his half, termed the administration’s transfer as an assault on Ladakh itself. “It is not an attack on Sonam Wangchuk, but on Ladakh. It is an attack on the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance,” he stated.LAB and KDA, fashioned in 2020, signify political and spiritual teams from Leh and Kargil. Both have been demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion of the area beneath the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.Since the abrogation of Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019, and the bifurcation of the J&Okay state into the 2 UTs — J&Okay and Ladakh — the Ladakh area has witnessed a sequence of political agitations for the Sixth Schedule and statehood. Wangchuk has led a number of such protests, holding lengthy fasts and lengthy marches.On Jan 2, 2023, the ministry of dwelling affairs arrange a high-powered committee to deal with key points in Ladakh, together with the Sixth Schedule. The final spherical of talks, between the Centre’s high-powered committee and the Ladakhi leaders was held on May 27, resulting in the introduction of a domicile coverage.On Aug 11, LAB and KDA launched a three-day protest in Kargil, led by Wangchuk, demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule standing for Ladakh.On Aug 21, Leh deputy commissioner Romil Singh Donk issued an order stating that the land measuring 1,076 kanal and 1 marla (over 53.8 hectares) allotted to HIAL “stands escheated to the State, i.e., LAHDC (Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council)”, and directed the Leh tehsildar to “remove all the encumbrances from the said piece of state land as per provisions of the law, and effect entries in the revenue record accordingly”.The order stated the land in Phyang was given to HIAL on lease for 40 years, however it has not been used for the aim allotted, “as no university (as recognised by law) has been set up” up to now.Wangchuk, whereas speaking to reporters, stated HIAL was created in 2018 with the assist of Ladakh leaders after the success of the “ice stupa” mission, which was geared toward addressing Ladakh’s water disaster. “The land was leased to the HIAL under unanimous consensus of Ladakhi leaders. It is a charitable company, not my personal university,” Wangchuk stated. “The allotment was given in 2018, and now, suddenly, the Ladakh administration says it is not serving its purpose.”He stated 400 college students have handed out from HIAL. “The cancellation of the land lease at this juncture, when Ladakhi leaders are seeking safeguards for the region, shows a design. HIAL is the pride of not just Ladakh but of the whole Himalayas,” he added.