Ladakh man 'dies by suicide'; LBA claims was 'depressed' post Sonam Wangchuk arrest

A member of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) was found dead at his residence in Leh on Tuesday.

His family has told local community representatives that he had been under severe emotional distress following last week’s violence in Leh and the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The deceased, survived by his wife and two children, was known to be a supporter of Wangchuk, according to LBA sources.

Outside Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital, where the post-mortem was conducted, a family member said he had been deeply disturbed by the unrest over Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule demand, which left four persons dead and nearly 100 injured.

“He admired Sonam Wangchuk and was distressed after the recent violence and Wangchuk’s detention,” LBA president Chering Dorjay Lakruk told The Tribune.

However, police officials in Leh have not issued an official statement regarding the incident.