‘Speak Freely’: Ladakh probe panel warns against threats to witnesses | India News

SRINAGAR: A judicial commission set up by the Union home ministry (MHA) to probe the Sept 24 violence in Leh warned Friday that anyone threatening eyewitnesses against deposing would be strictly dealt with.The commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge BS Chauhan, had revealed last month that it was not getting good response and information on the violence that saw security forces in Leh allegedly open fire on protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union territory. Four people died and over 90 were injured.“There are several instances where people are being threatened and told not to depose. If anyone has been threatened, they should write to the commission. If someone is afraid to come forward, we will keep their identity confidential,” Rigzin Spalgon, joint secretary of the commission, said on Friday. He urged eyewitnesses to come forward and “speak freely” before the commission.Spalgon’s statements followed a notice on Thursday in which the commission warned of legal action against anyone “interfering, deterring, obstructing or hindering” witnesses. Evidence can be submitted till Nov 28, after which the commission will start hearings.The MHA had announced the commission after demands from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), Ladakh’s two major political organisations. Both had made the panel’s formation a precondition for resuming dialogue with the Centre. Climate activist and LAB member Sonam Wangchuk was among the over 70 people arrested over the violence, which was followed by a clampdown that included curfew-like restrictions and internet blocks.Other than Chauhan, the commission has retired district judge Mohan Singh Parihar as judicial secretary and IAS Tushar Anand as administrative secretary. The ministry later expanded the panel by including Spalgon, a Ladakhi, on demands from LAB.After the probe commission was announced, the Centre resumed talks with LAB and KDA on Oct 22 in New Delhi. The talks, earlier held with a committee headed by junior Union home minister Nityanand Rai, had been called off by the Ladakh groups following the violence.