Fourth self immolation in Tibet in 2 days

Phayul[Saturday, October 27, 2012 18:31]

By Phuntsok Yangchen Tsephag Kyab, 21, set himself on fire in Labrang region in Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet  Four Tibetans have immolated themselves in just two days in three different regions of Tibet. Tsephag Kyab, 21, set himself on fire yesterday around 7 PM (local time) in Labrang Sangkho in Sangchu. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. Tsephag is survived by his wife Dorjee Dolma, 18, mother Lumo Jam and an elder brother named Tashi Dhondup. Thupten, a Tibetan living in South India with a close contact in a region said, “A large number of local Tibetans gathered in a region and prevent the Chinese forces from taking Tsephag’s body.” His charred body is currently in the hands of his family members. Thupten cited witnesses saying Tsephag raised the slogans demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet and Release of Panchen Rinpoche Gedun Choekyi Nyima and other Political prisoners. “Following the self immolation, a large number of Chinese Armed Forces and Chinese Security forces are deployed in the area and the situation is described as tense and under strict surveillance.  Earlier the same day, Lhamo Tseten, 24, set himself on fire near the Amchok Township Court at 2:30 PM (local time) in Sangchu County in Amdo, Eastern Tibet. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. On October 25, Two Tibetans set themselves ablaze in Nagro Phampa township in Driru County, Kham.  Tsepo, 20 and Tenzin, 25 set themselves on fire near a school in Nagro Phampa region. Tsepo is believed to be dead while there is no information on Tenzin's condition and his whereabouts. They raised slogans demanding return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. Tenzin was a former student of TCV Suja where he had studied for around six months. Since 2009, 62 Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet and Freedom in Tibet.