Delhi, India — The 16th day of the protest organized by the Centre for Justice and Peace (CJP) saw activist and former Indian Army officer Sonam Wangchuk lose 6 kg (13 lb) while continuing a hunger strike that began on March 1 to demand an inquiry into alleged police excesses during the 2022 Manipur clashes.
Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike for 16 days, said he had lost weight after eating only a small amount of boiled rice and water each day. “I have dropped 6 kg in the last 16 days,” he told reporters at the protest site near the Delhi High Court. “I am doing this to demand a fair investigation into the police actions in Manipur.”
The protest, which has attracted thousands of demonstrators, is part of a broader campaign calling for accountability over the use of force by security forces in northeastern India. CJP has alleged that police and armed forces used excessive force during the 2022 clashes, leading to civilian casualties and widespread human rights concerns.
Wangchuk’s weight loss has been documented by medical volunteers present at the protest. A doctor on the ground estimated his weight at 50 kg (110 lb) after the 16 days, down from 56 kg (123 lb) on the day the hunger strike began, according to a statement released by the protest organizers.
The protest has been met with mixed reactions from authorities. The Delhi Police have maintained that the demonstrators are exercising their right to free speech and that no law has been broken. A police spokesperson said the police “will not intervene unless there is a direct threat to public safety.”
Analysis:
The 6‑kg weight loss reported by Wangchuk underscores the physical toll of prolonged hunger strikes, a tactic frequently used by Indian activists to draw attention to grievances. While the protest has drawn significant media coverage, the authorities have yet to announce any concrete steps toward the investigative inquiry demanded by the demonstrators. The continued pressure from CJP and its allies may prompt a formal review of police conduct in Manipur, but no timeline has been set. The protest’s impact on public opinion remains to be seen as the demonstration enters its second week.
Sources
Times of India – “Day 16 of CJP protest: Sonam Wangchuk loses 6 kg during hunger strike,” March 17, 2026. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/day-16-of-cjp-protest-sonam-wangchuk-loses-6-kg-during-hunger-strike/articleshow/132194662.cms
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
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