Cops end silent protest in Sonam Wangchuk's support

NEW DELHI: More than 50 protesters, including women, who had come out in silent solidarity with the hunger strike of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk , were detained by police near Ladakh Bhawan in the capital on Sunday. Wangchuk has been on protest fast at Ladakh Bhawan for the inclusion of the Union territory in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to secure special protection for tribal regions. Police said they were not given permission to protest. "It started between 1pm and 1.30pm when they arrived near Ladakh Bhawan and began sitting on the road. We asked them not to do that, but they didn't listen, so they were detained," an officer said.

The protesters included more than 20 women, who were taken to a nearby police station and were later released, the officer added. Police also clarified that Wangchuk was not detained. "He came out and sat in a public place, but later he went inside Ladakh Bhawan," the police said.