Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and a few of his supporters began a hunger strike at the Ladakh Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday after failing to ensure a meeting with top government functionaries.

“So after trying everything possible to find a legitimate place for our anshan fast in New Delhi, we have finally decided to start our fast here at Ladakh Bhavan New Delhi where I was virtually detained for the last 4 days,” Wangchuk tweeted.

On Saturday, police had refused permission for an indefinite hunger strike by the Ladakhi protesters on Jantar Mantar Road, citing that an application must be made 10 days in advance and the duration of the agitation specified.

Wangchuk had gone on a hunger strike for 21 days in March, demanding statehood for Ladakh and its protection from industrialisation that could harm its fragile ecology. He had led a march from Leh from September 1 demanding the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule.

The police had imposed prohibitory orders and detained the marchers when they entered the capital on September 30. Wangchuk and his supporters had then gone on a hunger strike at the police stations where they were held. He was released on October 2 and allowed to end the strike at Rajghat.

He had then said: “We have given our memorandum demanding the Sixth Schedule and have been assured by the home ministry that the PM or the home minister would meet us in the coming days. We have ended our hunger strike on this assurance."