Tsewang Tharchin, 46, a Kargil war veteran, had taken early retirement from the Army and was running a garment shop. On September 24, Tharchin had joined others who were protesting for Ladakh's statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule for tribal rights. When his family could not connect with him, they started panicking and what followed was the devastating news of his death. Now, his body remains in his home village of Saboo, eight kilometres from Leh, as the community gathered in solemn mourning. His cremation is scheduled for Monday even as curfew remains in force in Leh.

Tharchin, along with other ex-servicemen, had taken part in protests organised since September 10 by the Leh Apex Body, which is leading the campaign for statehood and Sixth Schedule protection for Ladakh. He wa

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