India, March 17 -- Two days after the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the twin towns of Leh and Kargil witnessed peaceful protests to press the Central government to resume talks and address long-standing demands for full statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.

The protests, called by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), saw thousands of residents taking to the streets despite the recent revocation of Wangchuk's detention under the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk, who had been held for nearly six months following violent clashes in Leh in September 2025, was freed on March 14 after the Ministry of Home Affairs withdrew the order, citing efforts to foster peace and d...