The protesters were detained after the Delhi Police passed an order on Monday, banning gatherings of five or more people under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Naya Sanhita. The order said that these restrictions are due to the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, Shahi Eidgah issue in Saddar Bazar, politically charged issue of MCD Standing Committee elections, delay in declaration of DUSU election results. are being imposed keeping in mind the communal environment. Upcoming elections in various states.

Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday, ABL co-chairman Tsering Gorjoy said: “We have been sensitizing people on our way about the importance of saving the environment, especially the Himalayas. This march is only in Ladakh. It is not for the residents but for the entire country.

ABL members added that despite their peaceful march, they were stopped at the Delhi border and many are currently confined in hotels and guest houses. Gurjoy said that since his arrest, all the shops in Ladakh have closed in protest and people are sitting on the streets.

Ashraf Ali Barcha, another key leader and member of ABL, expressed his disappointment over the lack of dialogue with the central government. “We still hope that the government will call us for talks. Our main demand is the restoration of democracy… The last time we spoke to our interior ministry in February, they said to continue those talks after the elections. Will… but after that there was no discussion, he said.

“As soon as we reached the city, the police stopped us. We never thought such an action could happen in a democracy. It is a slap in the face of democracy.”

ABL is demanding the release of the detainees and permission to continue the protest. “People over 80 years old have been detained, many are sick and have blistered feet after walking for so long,” Gorjoy said. The group requested permission to offer condolences at the Raj Ghat and hold a peaceful protest at the Jantar Mantar on October 3.