Ladakh activist and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has proposed a march towards the China border. According to a Times of India report, he said he will launch the "pashmina march" - "Peaceful March to the Changthang pasturelands" — on April 7, Sunday. In light of this Section 144 has been inposed in Leh, Ladakh under which more than 4 people cannot gather together. Along with this, the police issued an order to limit the Internet speed to 2G for the next 24 hours.
Wangchuk started his fast on March 6 Demand of statehood for Ladakh which concluded no March 26. Other demands of the strike include Inclusion of Ladakh under sixth schedule of the Indian constitution, providing the region with more legislative, judicial and administrative autonomy. The protest also calls for the creation of a seperate public service commission for Ladakh to ensure job opportunities for locals.
As per reports, Wangchuk said that 10,000 people from Ladakh will participate in this march. During his 21-day long hunger strike last month, he had appealed the people of Ladakh to join the march and check the alleged encroachment of pasture lands along the India-China border (LAC).
Reports also suggest that the Leh administration says, in view of credible information and apprehensions of disturbance of peace in the district, Section 144 has been imposed. Under this, no person can take out a procession, rally or march without the consent of the district magistrate.
The police also say that ‘mischievous elements can instigate people through social media by misusing mobile data, due to which decisions like reducing data services to 2G have been taken. Wi-fi facilities along with 3G, 4G and 5G will be temporarily disabled.