Tibet burns on eve of crucial China meet

Phayul[Wednesday, November 07, 2012 19:05]

Charred body of Tibetan self-immolator Tamding Tso.  In confirmed reports coming out of Tibet, a Tibetan woman set herself on fire today in an apparent protest against China’s occupation, on the eve of the Chinese Communist Party’s 18th National Congress.  Tamding Tso, a 23-year-old mother of one, passed away in her self-immolation protest in Rebkong region of Amdo, eastern Tibet. In unconfirmed reports, Phayul is hearing of two to three more self-immolation protests today in Rebkong and Ngaba regions of Tibet. As of now, Phayul cannot independently confirm these reports. Sources have told Phayul that Tamding Tso of Dro Rongwo set herself on fire near the Ghe Mar thang (a ground) at around 5.30 pm today. She is survived by her six year-old son. According to eyewitnesses, Tamding Tso shouted, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama must come to Tibet,” before setting herself on fire. Following the self-immolation protest, monks of the Dowa Monastery carried her charred body to her home. At the filing of this report, over two thousands Tibetans are reportedly gathered in the region, raising slogans for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and offering prayers. 64 known Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in Tibet, protesting China’s continued occupation and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Last week, Dorjee Lhundup, 25, father of a four-year-old son and two-year-old daughter, passed away in his self-immolation protest in Rebkong calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Thousands of Tibetans gathered to pay their last respects to Dorjee Lhundup later that day.  Speaking to reporters in Japan earlier this week, the Dalai Lama said that Xi Jinping, who is expected to take over the reins from Hu Jintao at the Party Congress beginning tomorrow, will have no choice but to embark on political reforms. "Now Hu Jintao's era (is the) past, now Xi Jinping is coming as president. I think there's no alternative except some political change, so political reform. Economy reform (is) already there," reporters quoted the Dalai Lama as saying.