Srinagar: A Ladakh resident and an admirer of the incarcerated climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who was part of the ongoing agitation for constitutional safeguards and democratic rights has died by suicide, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) said on Thursday (October 2).Stanzin Dorjay, a resident of Skitmang village in Changthang and member of the LBA’s general council, who has been described by friends and well-wishers as a “passionate fighter” in the ongoing agitation in Ladakh, reportedly died by suicide on Tuesday.“He was associated with our movement. He was a fan of Sonam Wangchuk. I know this because I saw him on September 24. He wanted to go out with the youth [protesters] but I advised him against it,” said LBA president Chering Dorjay Lakrook.Lakrook said that Dorjay, who is believed to be in his 30s, has two school-going children. His younger brother is in the army’s Ladakh Scouts, while his elder brother is an assistant professor at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies.Citing his brothers, Lakrook said that Dorjay fell into depression after the events of September 24, when four civilian protesters including a Kargil war veteran were shot dead by security forces after violence broke out across Ladakh’s capital city.It was not immediately known how Dorjay ended his life.“It looks like this is related to the September 24 events. Perhaps he didn’t like what happened because of which he died by suicide,” Lakrook, who is also president of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), said.Dorjay was known for being a vociferous supporter of the demand that Ladakh be included in the Sixth Schedule of the constitution. His tragic end makes him the fifth casualty of the ongoing agitation for constitutional safeguards and democratic rights.A woman, who was critically injured in firing last week, is battling for her life at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi.Changthang, Dorjay’s native region, is a high-altitude plateau in eastern Ladakh named after the Changpa breed of goats whose wool is used in making the world-famous pashmina shawls.A solar park has been planned by the Union government in Ladakh that intrudes into the high-altitude Changthang wildlife sanctuary. Activists have said that the park will negatively impact the Changpa tribe, whose grazing fields have shrunk in recent years due to Chinese intrusions.The Wire could not immediately verify whether Dorjay was related to the Changpa tribe. Lakrook, the LAB co-chairman, said that the deceased was “struggling”.The LAB is spearheading the agitation in Ladakh along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) for the region’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, statehood, two seats in parliament and 100% job reservation for locals.The two groups pulled out of informal talks with the Union home ministry, blaming the September 24 violence on the local administration, police and Central Reserve Police Force.They have also demanded the government release all protesters arrested in connection with the violence and drop all cases against them.Meanwhile, the two bodies on Thursday rejected the magisterial probe that has been ordered by Ladakh administration into the September 24 violence.“We reject this inquiry committee. We have sought a judicial probe by a retired Supreme Court judge,” Lakrook said.Sajjad Hussain, a KDA leader, said: “We outrightly reject this inquiry which seems to be a hogwash. We have demanded a judicial inquiry through a sitting judge of the Supreme Court. The government should not think of Ladakhis as ignorants.”A public notice by sub-divisional magistrate Nubra Mukul Beniwal, who has been appointed as the inquiry officer, invited people “having information about the incident or is willing/desirous to give oral evidence/written statement/material evidence (photos or video recordings)” at the office of Leh’s deputy commissioner from October 4 to 18 between 10 am and 5 pm.“All concerned are therefore requested to extend their cooperation to ensure a fair and transparent inquiry. Issued in public interest,” the notice reads.If you know someone – a friend or a family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. The Suicide Prevention India Foundation maintains a list of phone numbers they can call to speak in confidence. The TeleManas government helpline functions 24×7; its number is 1-800-891-4416 or 14416. You could also take them to the nearest hospital.