Wangchuk Sets Conditions to End Hunger Strike

Indian activist Wangchuk, who began a hunger strike earlier this month to protest the alleged denial of land rights to residents of the disputed border region, announced on Thursday that he will end the fast only if a set of specific conditions are met. In a statement released through his legal counsel, Wangchuk listed three primary demands: the immediate suspension of the government’s proposed land‑reallocation plan, an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in the allocation process, and a formal meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss a permanent resolution. The activist began the strike on June 28, citing a series of recent evictions and a lack of transparent compensation mechanisms as the catalyst for his protest.

Government officials responded by acknowledging receipt of the conditions and indicated that they would review the demands in consultation with the state administration. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs said a meeting with Wangchuk’s representatives could be scheduled within the next two weeks, while the department overseeing land reforms affirmed its commitment to “ensure that any policy action complies with legal and constitutional safeguards.” As the deadline for the activist’s fast approaches, observers note that the outcome of these negotiations could set a precedent for how civil‑society grievances are addressed in the region.