MHA begins talks with LAB in Leh, next meeting in two days in New Delhi

JAMMU, Sept 26: Acting tough, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today cancelled the FCRA license of Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with “immediate effect” while police in Ladakh lodged multiple FIRs and detained over 50 rioters amid reports that action is on the cards against those who instigated the violence in Leh town of the UT yesterday resulting into four casualties, 90 injuries and damage to many buildings and vehicles including BJP and Hill Council offices.

At the same time, the MHA opened doors of talks with Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) with the MHA representatives holding meeting with the Apex Body at Leh today.

“The meeting decided that a preparatory meeting with the Home Ministry will take place in New Delhi on September 27 or 28, subject to confirmation of date by the MHA. The meeting will be attended by three representatives each from the LAB and KDA besides Ladakh MP.

“The preparatory meeting shall be followed by an immediate official meeting of the Home Ministry with High Powered Committee comprising of seven members each from LAB and KDA on four-point agenda,” a joint statement issued late this evening by LAB leaders Thupstan Chhewang and Chering Dorjay, said.

While the statement didn’t mention four-point agenda, it includes Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh as prime demands besides two Parliamentary seats for the UT instead of one.

Earlier in the day, bodies of four civilians killed in police and paramilitary personnel’s firing during violence in Leh yesterday were handed over to their families.

They have been identified as Tsewang Tharchin, 46 R/o Skurbuchan, who had retired from Ladakh Scouts Regiment, Stanzin Namgayal, 24, a resident of Igoo, Jigmet Dorjay, who hails from Kharnakling and Rinchen Dadul, 21, a resident of Hanu.

Officials said a total of 90 persons were injured, seven of them seriously and 20 suffering from major trauma. One of the critically injured persons was airlifted to New Delhi through Air Force aircraft today. However, by this evening, only 18 persons were admitted in the hospitals including seven who underwent major complicated surgeries.

The district administration Leh has ordered closure of all Government/private schools, Anganwadi Centres, colleges, coaching centres and other educational institutions within Leh district for two days with effect from September 26.

As curfew continued in Leh for second consecutive day today without any relaxation with ITBP, CRPF and Ladakh Police patrolling the sensitive areas, sources said the authorities are investigating role of outsiders in the violence including youth from Nepal and Doda as some of them were among those injured.

“What were Nepalese and Doda youth doing with the mob is matter of investigation. They will be taken into custody for questioning once they are declared fit for discharge by the doctors,” the officials said, adding there is definitely a conspiracy behind the arson and violence in Leh town yesterday.

It is also being investigated from where the mob secured petrol bombs which were used to set on fire the BJP and Hill Council offices and many vehicles including those belonging to security forces.

The MHA and the UT administration have decided to act tough with those who indulged in violence and those who provoked and instigated the violence. Some of them could be booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Multiple FIRs have already been registered at Leh police station for the violence. Besides Sonam Wangchuk, who has directly been blamed by the MHA for instigating violence; two Congress Councilors are also under scanner.

To prevent the escalation of unrest, strict prohibitory restrictions banning the assembly of five or more people were also placed in other major towns, including Kargil, where the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) had called a parallel shutdown.

Kargil District Magistrate Rakesh Kumar issued prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, banning unauthorized processions and public statements likely to disturb peace.

Meanwhile, the MHA action on SECMOL founded by Sonam Wangchuk was based on several alleged discrepancies detected in the accounts of the organization including a fund transfer from Sweden which the Ministry found was against “national interest”.

The Wangchuk-led organization was granted the license to accept foreign contribution for undertaking cultural and educational programme, an order issued today said.

Besides SECMOL, Wangchuk had also founded Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL) which is facing CBI inquiry related to alleged Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, or FCRA, violations.
The Home Ministry had earlier issued a show cause notice to SECMOL seeking explanation on various irregularities observed in the finances of the organization.

It was alleged that during financial year 2021-22,Wangchuk deposited Rs 3.5 lakh into the FCRA account of the association in violation of section 17 of the Act.

According to the explanation given by SECMOL, it was the sale proceeds of the old bus procured on July 14, 2015 out of FCRA funds. It said the sale proceeds for any asset which was procured from FCRA’s funds need to be deposited only in FCRA’s account as per the guidelines.
The Ministry said that the amount has been received in cash in violation of Section 17 of the Act which is not properly disclosed by the organization in its reply.
“Further, an amount of Rs 3.35 lakh has been intimated by the association…as FC donation from Sonam Wangchuk. However, this transaction is not reflected in FCRA Account in violation of Section 18 of the Act,” it said.
The Ministry also red flagged another transfer of Rs 54,600 local funds in FCRA accounts of the organization which the latter claimed a mistake.
A foreign contribution from Sweden of around Rs 4.93 lakh for creating awareness among youth on issues such as migration, climate change, global warming, food security and sovereignty and organic farming through different workshops and trainings is also under the scanner of the Ministry.

Rejecting the arguments of SECMOL that the funds were utilized strictly in line with the organization’s objectives for educational purposes only, the MHA has said the foreign contribution cannot be accepted for study on sovereignty of the nation as it is against “national interests.”

Citing several other discrepancies in the accounts of the organization, the Home Ministry, in its order issued on Thursday, said it invoked its powers under Section 14 of the FCRA to cancel the license granted to the organization with immediate effect.

Earlier in the day, Wangchuk alleged that the Government was building a case against him to put him behind bars.

The activist, who has been leading the agitation for Statehood and Constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, also raised the alarm over his personal safety.
“I see they are building up a case to bring me under the Public Safety Act and throw me in jail for two years,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta chaired a high-level security review meeting, calling for heightened vigilance and inter-agency coordination, while terming the Wednesday’s events “heart-wrenching” and a result of a “conspiracy”.
Officials said senior officers from the police, CRPF and civil administration attended the meeting and discussed in detail the prevailing law and order situation in the UT.

Meanwhile, Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) today demanded an impartial probe into the clashes between protesters and security personnel in Leh town of Ladakh and asked the UT administration to stop “witch hunting” and “harassment” of people.
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It also defended climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was blamed by Government for making “provocative statements” leading to mob violence, and expressed sympathies with the families of four slain protesters, describing them as “heroes of Ladakh”.

Instead of handling the situation in a proper manner, the administration used excessive force on the unarmed protesters…we want a thorough probe into the violence and legal action against those who ordered the firing,” co-chairman of KDA Asgar Ali Karbalai told reporters in Kargil.

Karbalai, who was flanked by other senior members of the KDA including Ladakh MP Hanifa Jan said whatever happened was unfortunate but the way the Government handled the situation was like “rubbing salt into our wounds”.

Jan said the people of Ladakh felt ignored after the MHA failed to convene next round of talks.

“The Government must stop harassment of youth, hold free and fair investigation and restart dialogue with all seriousness to resolve pending demands,” he said.
Kargil observed a shutdown today in support of the demands.