Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk on Tuesday called for a “win-win” dialogue with the Centre after his detention under the National Security Act was revoked.

He said that the Centre has extended its hand to build trust for meaningful dialogue with the residents of the Union Territory.

Addressing a press conference after his release from jail, Wangchuk referred to his release as the first “win”. He added: “The government extending hands to build trust and facilitate meaningful dialogue is a great thing. That way Ladakh and our cause will also win.”

Wangchuk said that a “third win” is that the Union government will “come out looking better, and our image in the world will be a little better”.

These were the activist’s first public remarks after he was released from detention on March 4 after five-and-a-half months.

Wangchuk had been detained on September 26, two days after protesters demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution clashed with security personnel, injuring several of them. Four persons were killed in police firing.

The Sixth Schedule guarantees certain protections for land and a nominal autonomy for citizens in designated tribal areas.

The revocation of Wangchuk’s detention came in the backdrop of the Supreme Court hearing a petition filed by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenging the government’s action.

On Tuesday, Wangchuk said that he hoped the court will record and publish a judgement in the matter, so that his case can be used as a precedent in other cases under the National Security Act.

On participating in future protests, he said: “I have always maintained that I did not want to go on hunger strikes. I did it out of compulsion.”

“Now the government has offered constructive dialogue,” Wangchuk said, adding that he is hoping for “meaningful and effective talks with the government that will lead to something good”.

The activist said that the demand for Ladakh to have safeguards under the Sixth Schedule will remain. He said that he will remain flexible during the talks, but not at the cost of it being a “lose-lose” for Ladakhis.

Angmo, who was also present at the press conference, added that the negotiations ahead must be done in such a way that “everyone feels that they have a bigger piece of the cake”.

Speaking about his next step, Wangchuk said that he would travel to Ladakh and consult with leaders of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, civil society coalitions that have been leading the movement seeking constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, PTI reported.