Phayul[Tuesday, January 24, 2012 18:33]
by Sherab Woeser
DHARAMSHALA, January 24: In news just in, at least five Tibetans have died in police firings in Serthar, eastern Tibet today.
The incidence occurred earlier today when a large crowd of Tibetans gathered in the central town of Serthar and started raising slogans calling for Tibet’s independence.
Sources in exile with contacts in the region say that over 600 Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene of the protests and began firing indiscriminately at the crowd.
Speaking to Dharamshala based radio service VoT, an unnamed Tibetan said that five Tibetans were confirmed dead with over 40 Tibetans carrying serious injuries.
“The Chinese security personnel began to fire indiscriminately at the crowd of Tibetans demonstrating against the Chinese government in the central town of Serthar,” the Tibetan said.
Beijing based Tibetan writer, Woeser has also independently confirmed that five Tibetans were killed in the protests today. Woeser identified one of the dead as Bobo, a Tibetan man in his mid-thirties.
Sources say the whole of Serthar is under virtual martial law with large numbers of Chinese security personnel maintaining a strict surveillance all over the town.
All the shops and restaurants and public amenities in the region have been forced to shut down.
There is fear that the number of casualties will rise as injured Tibetans have been left with no access to medical treatment.
The protests in Serthar come a day after massive protests were reported from neighbouring Drango county yesterday. Earlier reports had indicated that one Tibetan was shot dead by Chinese security personnel in Drango but now reports are confirming the death of six Tibetans in yesterday’s firings.
Last week, hundreds of Tibetans had come out on the streets of Serthar in an act of defiance against Chinese rule, carrying photos of the Dalai Lama and calling for Tibet's independence.
The de facto Tibetan Prime Minister Dr Lobsang Sangay today urged the international community to intervene to prevent further bloodshed in Tibet.
“Silence from the world community sends a clear message to China that its repressive and violent measures to handle tensions in Tibetan areas are acceptable,” Dr Sangay said.
“As a nation aspiring to become a world economic and political power, the People’s Republic of China cannot be permitted to behave in such immoral and violent manner”.
In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
At least a dozen Tibetans have died in the past few weeks alone in police firings on peaceful demonstrators in Tibet.
A group dedicated to the freedom of Tibetans in their own homeland. Find us on Facebook
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Students pedal on as situation worsens in Tibet
| Phayul[Tuesday, January 24, 2012 17:29] |
By Tendar Tsering see their facebook page  Coinciding with their winter vacations, Tselo Gyal, Lugoen Thar and Gyaltsen, all students of the Tibetan Children’s village (TCV) School, Gopalpur, north India, voluntarily organised the rally. The ‘Cycling for Tibet’ campaign, which will culminate in the Indian capital New Delhi, was flagged off from the largest Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe in Karnataka Friday. Covering over 90 kms, the students arrived for their first major stop in Mysore and with the help of the regional chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress, met with the press and distributed pamphlets around the city. Speaking to Phayul over phone, the students said they would be reaching Bangalore later in the evening and arrange a meeting with the press tomorrow. “With the help of the Tibetans in the city, we will be having a press conference at the Indian press club in the city tomorrow,” said Tselo Gyal, one of the three students on the cycle rally. “The press conference will be followed by a mass gathering of Tibetans at the Tibetan Youth Hostel in the city, and then, in the afternoon, we will be heading off to Chennai,” Tselo added. In a statement at the beginning of the rally, the three students said they were undertaking the ‘Cycling for Tibet’ campaign to highlight the “plight of Tibetans suffering under China’s repressive rule” and to appeal for support in the resolution of the ongoing crisis in Tibet. “The suffering and the injustice meted out to Tibetans in Tibet must end soon if truth, freedom, and peace are to sustain this world,” the release said. In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire in Tibet demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet. The past couple of days have witnessed mass protests in many parts of Tibet, resulting in the deaths of at least two Tibetans as a result of police firing over unarmed demonstrators. The numbers are expected to rise as many more have been reported critically injured. |
Monday, 23 January 2012
Tibetans shot to death on Chinese new year
Phayul[Monday, January 23, 2012 18:48]
DHARAMSHALA, January 23: Security personnel in Drango, eastern Tibet celebrated the Chinese new year firing at a crowd of unarmed protesting Tibetans earlier today.
Reports coming out of Drango region confirm the death of at least one Tibetan with many suffering serious injuries.
"One Tibetan layman, identified as Yonten, has died of gunshot after security officials clamped down on a protest in Drango County (Ch: Luhuo County) in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," said the Dharamshala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) in a release today.
The body of Yonten is reportedly kept at the Drango Monastery.
According to sources, the protests flared after local Chinese Public Security Bureau officials began to arbitrarily arrest Tibetans on suspicion of their involvement in the appearance of leaflets and posters around the town following the wave of self-immolations in the region. The posters had warned of more Tibetan self-immolations if the Chinese government did not listen to Tibetan concerns.
"Many Tibetans in the Drango area rose up in protest this morning. Many of the protesters were farmers and nomads," TCHRD said.
"The Public Security Bureau and People's Armed Police intervened by using guns to rein in the protesters," the TCHRD said while confirming “serious injuries” to three monks from Drango Monastery.
In a separate release on today’s incidence, the Dharamshala based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said scores of Tibetans called for Tibet’s freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, following which the police indiscriminately fired on the peaceful demonstrators.
Though TCHRD confirmed one death, other sources are reporting that as many as six Tibetans could have suffered gunshots.
TPiE has said the situation in the region continues to remain tense.
In another release, London based Free Tibet said that up to 30 Tibetans were shot this morning with local Tibetans avoiding taking the injured to hospital fearing arrest.
"The situation is ongoing and large numbers of Tibetans are reported to be travelling to Draggo from the surrounding areas of Serthar (Chinese:Seda) and Tawu (Chinese: Daofu) counties (also in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) to join the demonstration; large numbers of Tibetans are also gathering in Draggo monastery courtyard," Free Tibet said.
In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves ablaze demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
“Tibetans have resorted to this desperate act out of sheer frustration against the policies and programs of the Chinese authorities aimed at eradicating the Tibetan identity,” TPiE said in its release.
“The Tibetan parliament is deeply aggrieved by the incidents and condemns the Chinese authorities for resorting to such drastic acts of force and repression”.
Expressing shock at the “silence” of the international community over the “gross violation of human rights in Tibet,” TPiE appealed to the free world to “rise up to the occasion and impress on China to find a lasting solution to the Issue of Tibet”.
“We call on China to respect the Tibetan people’s right to express themselves and look into the legitimate grievances of the Tibetan people,” the elected Tibetan representatives said.
Reports coming out of Drango region confirm the death of at least one Tibetan with many suffering serious injuries.
"One Tibetan layman, identified as Yonten, has died of gunshot after security officials clamped down on a protest in Drango County (Ch: Luhuo County) in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," said the Dharamshala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) in a release today.
The body of Yonten is reportedly kept at the Drango Monastery.
According to sources, the protests flared after local Chinese Public Security Bureau officials began to arbitrarily arrest Tibetans on suspicion of their involvement in the appearance of leaflets and posters around the town following the wave of self-immolations in the region. The posters had warned of more Tibetan self-immolations if the Chinese government did not listen to Tibetan concerns.
"Many Tibetans in the Drango area rose up in protest this morning. Many of the protesters were farmers and nomads," TCHRD said.
"The Public Security Bureau and People's Armed Police intervened by using guns to rein in the protesters," the TCHRD said while confirming “serious injuries” to three monks from Drango Monastery.
In a separate release on today’s incidence, the Dharamshala based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said scores of Tibetans called for Tibet’s freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, following which the police indiscriminately fired on the peaceful demonstrators.
Though TCHRD confirmed one death, other sources are reporting that as many as six Tibetans could have suffered gunshots.
TPiE has said the situation in the region continues to remain tense.
In another release, London based Free Tibet said that up to 30 Tibetans were shot this morning with local Tibetans avoiding taking the injured to hospital fearing arrest.
"The situation is ongoing and large numbers of Tibetans are reported to be travelling to Draggo from the surrounding areas of Serthar (Chinese:Seda) and Tawu (Chinese: Daofu) counties (also in Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) to join the demonstration; large numbers of Tibetans are also gathering in Draggo monastery courtyard," Free Tibet said.
In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves ablaze demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
“Tibetans have resorted to this desperate act out of sheer frustration against the policies and programs of the Chinese authorities aimed at eradicating the Tibetan identity,” TPiE said in its release.
“The Tibetan parliament is deeply aggrieved by the incidents and condemns the Chinese authorities for resorting to such drastic acts of force and repression”.
Expressing shock at the “silence” of the international community over the “gross violation of human rights in Tibet,” TPiE appealed to the free world to “rise up to the occasion and impress on China to find a lasting solution to the Issue of Tibet”.
“We call on China to respect the Tibetan people’s right to express themselves and look into the legitimate grievances of the Tibetan people,” the elected Tibetan representatives said.
School children kick off cycle rally for Tibet
Phayul[Saturday, January 21, 2012 03:55]
By Tendar Tsering
DHARAMSHALA, January 21: Three Tibetan school students began a cycle rally for Tibet from the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe in the south Indian state of Karnataka to the Indian capital New Delhi, yesterday.
Tselo Gyal, Lugoen Thar and Gyaltsen, all students of the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School, Gopalpur in north India have voluntarily organised the rally coinciding with their two-month winter vacations.
In a press statement, the three students said they were undertaking the “Cycling for Tibet” campaign to highlight the “plight of Tibetans suffering under China’s repressive rule” and to appeal for support in the resolution of the Tibetan crisis.
“The suffering and the injustice meted out to Tibetans in Tibet must end soon if truth, freedom, and peace are to sustain this world,” the release said.
In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire in Tibet demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
Speaking to Phayul over phone from Bylakuppe, Tselo Gyal said they were taking out the cycle rally in support and solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet.
“We are demanding an immediate withdrawal of Chinese security forces stationed in war-like numbers in Tibet and also calling on China to allow an independent international investigation team to visit Tibet,” Gyal said.
Condemning Beijing for its inaction in the face of the fiery wave of self-immolations inside Tibet, the students said the Chinese government is responsible for the loss of Tibetan lives.
“China can end these unfortunate incidents by adopting liberal and reasonable policies for Tibet and Tibetan people instead of suppressing them,” the young students said.
The students will be covering over 2,300 kms (1,400 miles) on their bicycles.
Tselo Gyal, Lugoen Thar and Gyaltsen pedalling on from Bylakuppe in south India to New Delhi some 2,300 kms up north, in solidarity with the Tibetans who have self-immolated inside Tibet.
Tselo Gyal, Lugoen Thar and Gyaltsen, all students of the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School, Gopalpur in north India have voluntarily organised the rally coinciding with their two-month winter vacations.
In a press statement, the three students said they were undertaking the “Cycling for Tibet” campaign to highlight the “plight of Tibetans suffering under China’s repressive rule” and to appeal for support in the resolution of the Tibetan crisis.
“The suffering and the injustice meted out to Tibetans in Tibet must end soon if truth, freedom, and peace are to sustain this world,” the release said.
In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire in Tibet demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
Speaking to Phayul over phone from Bylakuppe, Tselo Gyal said they were taking out the cycle rally in support and solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet.
“We are demanding an immediate withdrawal of Chinese security forces stationed in war-like numbers in Tibet and also calling on China to allow an independent international investigation team to visit Tibet,” Gyal said.
Condemning Beijing for its inaction in the face of the fiery wave of self-immolations inside Tibet, the students said the Chinese government is responsible for the loss of Tibetan lives.
“China can end these unfortunate incidents by adopting liberal and reasonable policies for Tibet and Tibetan people instead of suppressing them,” the young students said.
The students will be covering over 2,300 kms (1,400 miles) on their bicycles.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Some interesting debate
Panelists
Tenzin Tsundue, Sanjay Kak, Nitasha Kaul, Mirza Waheed, Jianglin Li, and Dechen PembaDissent is integral to the idea of democracy. But what constitutes dissent? Who draws the line between legitimate and illegitimate dissent? Or for that matter, who defines the limits of democracy? Are democratic states better at accepting plurality and differences of opinion or are they better at managing them, and in the process, disciplining them? What do democracy, dissent, democratic dissent, and dissenting democrats mean in the context of world’s two largest countries: China and India? As the two states become major economic and military powers, what significance does it have for the diverse peoples residing within and connected without? The keynote speeches by two foremost and internationally renowned writers and intellectuals from India and China -- Arundhati Roy and Wang Lixiong will discuss some of these issues.
Nationalisms of all kinds play an important role in how states include or exclude people as well as in how people control or resist the state. The problematic nature of inclusionary/exclusionary nationalisms and coercive/cooptive statehood in China and India are nowhere better illustrated than in Tibet and Kashmir. Kashmir and Tibet are places with people -- people who live in a system they may not necessarily identify with, people whose life and livelihood is extra-ordinarily precarious under an overbearing, people many of whom have been forcibly displaced or involuntarily exiled -- and yet for the international audience they are mainly intractable problems. What does it mean to belong to the ‘troublesome paradises’? How does the experience of exile affect displaced subjects’ engagement with their homelands? What do the protests in Tibet and Kashmir since 2008 tell us about the aspirations of the people as well as about the myths associated with nationalism and statehood in ‘rising’ India and China? The panels on Kashmir and Tibet will bring together leading writers, filmmakers, poets, bloggers and intellectuals.
Colonialism in Tibet counterproductive to China
(TibetanReview.net, Jan16, 2012) Despite its claims of having liberated Tibet and ushered in modernization and development there, China is, in reality, practicing colonialism whose result is counterproductive, Dr Dibyesh Anand, Associate Professor of International Relations at the Westminster University, London, was cited as saying, delivering a talk on “Self immolation in Tibet and its impact on India, China and Tibet, at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, on Jan 13. The practice of colonialism is, in fact, the greatest threat to China’s credibility and ultimately its continuity in Tibet, isikkim.com Jan 4 cited Dr Anand as saying.
He has noted that China’s attacks on the Dalai Lama was seen by Tibetans as contempt for their way of life and disrespect to their dignity. Its familiar approach of blaming the Dalai Lama for all the problems in Tibet contradicts its own denial of there being any ‘Tibet issue’, he has added.
On the spate of self-immolations by protesting Tibetans, he has said the development should be seen in terms of continuity of the politics of resistance and not as a radical break from the past. He has blamed China’s hardline policies and a total securitisation of every aspect of life in Tibet for adding to the desperateness of the Tibetan people. He has pointed out that the repeated incidents of self immolation protests, despite China’s constant claims that Tibetans are happy members of the great Chinese motherland, proved the point the other way round.
He also felt that the insecurity the bulk of exile Tibetans feel despite being Indian in all practical sense was also the reason why the struggle for Tibet would continue. He has reiterated that Tibetans should be give credit for their contribution in reviving Buddhism in India and Buddhist sites like the Bodhgaya.
China bribing Tibetans to celebrate ‘Losar’
Phayul[Tuesday, January 17, 2012 16:30]
By Tendar Tsering
DHARAMSHALA, January 17: The Chinese government is now up to bribing Tibetans inside Tibet to celebrate the upcoming Tibetan New Year ‘Losar’.
Speaking to Phayul, a Tibetan exile citing contacts inside Tibet said Chinese government officials were coaxing Tibetans with money and gifts to celebrate ‘Losar’ (February 22-24) against their wishes.
“I spoke to a Tibetan in Tibet and he told me that Chinese government is bribing them to celebrate Losar by giving them 500 Yuan for each family and 200 Yuan for each individual,” the Tibetan (name withheld) said.
Following the fiery wave of self-immolations that has engulfed eastern Tibet over the past 11 months, Tibetans inside Tibet are reportedly skipping the ‘Losar’ celebrations as a tribute to the 16 Tibetans who have self-immolated since March last year. The popular move is also see as gesture to pay respect and show solidarity with the families of the deceased and injured.
Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest pro-independence group in exile, in November last had urged Tibetans to forego the ‘Losar’ celebrations in keeping with the Tibetan tradition of abandoning new year celebrations following the death of a member in the family.
Referring to the unending wave of self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet, TYC had made an open appeal for a rescindment of Losar celebrations and urged Tibetans to instead contribute the expenditure usually incurred in celebrating the three-day event to the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration.
“99% of Tibetans in Tibet will not celebrate the Losar but few are afraid that if they don’t celebrate then it might become a political liability for them,” the Tibetan man told Phayul.
“It would become easy for the Chinese authorities to pin point Tibetans not celebrating ‘Losar’ as anti-China”.
Another exiled Tibetan who has close contacts with Tibetans inside the besieged Ngaba region of eastern Tibet, which alone has seen 11 instances of self-immolations, said that Tibetans were “determined to skip” the upcoming ‘Losar’ celebrations.
“Tibetans in Tibet are very much determined to skip the Tibetan New Year as we do to mark a black year when someone in one’s family dies,” said Kanyag Tsering, citing contacts inside Tibet.
DHARAMSHALA, January 17: The Chinese government is now up to bribing Tibetans inside Tibet to celebrate the upcoming Tibetan New Year ‘Losar’.
Speaking to Phayul, a Tibetan exile citing contacts inside Tibet said Chinese government officials were coaxing Tibetans with money and gifts to celebrate ‘Losar’ (February 22-24) against their wishes.
“I spoke to a Tibetan in Tibet and he told me that Chinese government is bribing them to celebrate Losar by giving them 500 Yuan for each family and 200 Yuan for each individual,” the Tibetan (name withheld) said.
Following the fiery wave of self-immolations that has engulfed eastern Tibet over the past 11 months, Tibetans inside Tibet are reportedly skipping the ‘Losar’ celebrations as a tribute to the 16 Tibetans who have self-immolated since March last year. The popular move is also see as gesture to pay respect and show solidarity with the families of the deceased and injured.
Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest pro-independence group in exile, in November last had urged Tibetans to forego the ‘Losar’ celebrations in keeping with the Tibetan tradition of abandoning new year celebrations following the death of a member in the family.
Referring to the unending wave of self-immolations by Tibetans inside Tibet, TYC had made an open appeal for a rescindment of Losar celebrations and urged Tibetans to instead contribute the expenditure usually incurred in celebrating the three-day event to the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration.
“99% of Tibetans in Tibet will not celebrate the Losar but few are afraid that if they don’t celebrate then it might become a political liability for them,” the Tibetan man told Phayul.
“It would become easy for the Chinese authorities to pin point Tibetans not celebrating ‘Losar’ as anti-China”.
Another exiled Tibetan who has close contacts with Tibetans inside the besieged Ngaba region of eastern Tibet, which alone has seen 11 instances of self-immolations, said that Tibetans were “determined to skip” the upcoming ‘Losar’ celebrations.
“Tibetans in Tibet are very much determined to skip the Tibetan New Year as we do to mark a black year when someone in one’s family dies,” said Kanyag Tsering, citing contacts inside Tibet.
Thousands attend Sopa Rinpoche's funeral; Protests reported
Phayul[Tuesday, January 17, 2012 19:22]
DHARAMSHALA, January 17: Thousands of Tibetans from around the Golok region of eastern Tibet attended the funeral of Sonam Wangyal Sopa Rinpoche on Sunday morning.
Sopa Rinpoche, a respected spiritual figure in his early forties passed away on the spot after drinking and spraying kerosene all over his body before lighting himself up on January 8.
According to the Beijing based award winning Tibetan writer, Woeser, Tibetans in Amdo Golok and in the neighbouring regions of Qinghai, Gansu, and Sichuan were in deep mourning at the passing away of Rinpoche.
Writing on her blog, Woeser said thousands of Tibetans participated in the funeral ceremony of Sopa Rinpoche in Darlag (in Chinese, Dari) county of Golok.
Elsewhere in Golok, hundreds of Tibetans took out a day long peaceful demonstration following Sopa Rinpoche's funeral ceremony.
Citing contacts within the region, an exile Tibetan, Khenpo Ogyen Rigzin told US based radio service VOA that over a hundred Tibetans carry photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Gyalwang Karmapa in Amdo Golok Pema district carried protests from around 9:30 am to 5 pm.
“The demonstration was carried out in solidarity with Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives since the 2008 mass uprisings in Tibet,” Kehnpo Rigzin said.
“The demonstrators were raising slogans for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom in Tibet,” Khenpo Rigzin said while adding that he also heard people wailing and crying through a phone conversation he had with a local Tibetan while the demonstration was being carried out.
“The demonstrators were also carrying banners urging Tibetans to rise up in solidarity with all those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet,” Khenpo Rigzin said.
Chinese security personnel had apparently let the demonstration go on while taking pictures and videos of the demonstrators.
Sopa Rinpoche set himself ablaze in front of the police station of Darlag County in Golog after shouting slogans calling for Tibet's freedom and the long life of Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
In leaflets that Sopa Rinpoche distributed just before his fatal self-immolation, he stated his fiery sacrifice was not for his “personal glory but for Tibet and the happiness of Tibetans."
"The Tibetans should not lose their determination. The day of happiness will come for sure. For the Dalai Lama to live long, the Tibetans should not lose track of their path," Sopa Rinpoche said in his last statement.
In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
Sonam Wangyal Sopa Rinpoche in an undated photo
Sopa Rinpoche, a respected spiritual figure in his early forties passed away on the spot after drinking and spraying kerosene all over his body before lighting himself up on January 8.
According to the Beijing based award winning Tibetan writer, Woeser, Tibetans in Amdo Golok and in the neighbouring regions of Qinghai, Gansu, and Sichuan were in deep mourning at the passing away of Rinpoche.
Writing on her blog, Woeser said thousands of Tibetans participated in the funeral ceremony of Sopa Rinpoche in Darlag (in Chinese, Dari) county of Golok.
Elsewhere in Golok, hundreds of Tibetans took out a day long peaceful demonstration following Sopa Rinpoche's funeral ceremony.
Citing contacts within the region, an exile Tibetan, Khenpo Ogyen Rigzin told US based radio service VOA that over a hundred Tibetans carry photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Gyalwang Karmapa in Amdo Golok Pema district carried protests from around 9:30 am to 5 pm.
“The demonstration was carried out in solidarity with Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives since the 2008 mass uprisings in Tibet,” Kehnpo Rigzin said.
“The demonstrators were raising slogans for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom in Tibet,” Khenpo Rigzin said while adding that he also heard people wailing and crying through a phone conversation he had with a local Tibetan while the demonstration was being carried out.
“The demonstrators were also carrying banners urging Tibetans to rise up in solidarity with all those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet,” Khenpo Rigzin said.
Chinese security personnel had apparently let the demonstration go on while taking pictures and videos of the demonstrators.
Sopa Rinpoche set himself ablaze in front of the police station of Darlag County in Golog after shouting slogans calling for Tibet's freedom and the long life of Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
In leaflets that Sopa Rinpoche distributed just before his fatal self-immolation, he stated his fiery sacrifice was not for his “personal glory but for Tibet and the happiness of Tibetans."
"The Tibetans should not lose their determination. The day of happiness will come for sure. For the Dalai Lama to live long, the Tibetans should not lose track of their path," Sopa Rinpoche said in his last statement.
In the past 11 months, 16 Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Ngaba falls into deeper turmoil; Another self-immolation
Phayul[Saturday, January 14, 2012 22:15]
DHARAMSHALA, January 14: In reports coming out of Tibet, a self-immolation by a Tibetan layman earlier today in Ngaba, eastern Tibet, has triggered a mass demonstration resulting in the death of one woman due to bullet wounds.
The self-immolation, the 16th since March last year, occurred at around 1.30 pm Tibet time in the distraught Ngaba region. Currently, there are not many details available on the Tibetan man but he is believed to be dead.
According to reports, Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene of the self-immolation and severely beat the Tibetan layman while putting off the flame. As the Chinese security personnel started to take away the man, who was believed to be dead by then, local Tibetans angered with the Chinese authorities, reportedly gathered at the site and demanded the body to be handed over to them.
In the ensuing impromptu mass protest, Chinese security personnel fired on the crowd and used teargas. One elderly Tibetan woman has been confirmed dead as result of the firing. However, other sources indicate that the number of dead could be much more.
See map here
In a release, Free Tibet quoted an eyewitness as describing the situation as “terrifying” and that people were being “beaten” while “numerous people have been detained”.
The Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration in a release today condemned the “use of violence against civilians” and appealed the international community to “intervene so as to restrain the Chinese government from further use of violence”.
“The People’s Republic of China’s government must take full responsibility for these cases of self-immolation. It is within its power to end these unfortunate incidents by adopting liberal policies for Tibet and Tibetan people,” the CTA said.
The Ngaba region in Tibet, seat of the besieged Kirti monastery has seen 11 Tibetans – monks, nuns, and laymen – set their bodies on fire since March last year.
This year alone, four Tibetans have died after setting themselves ablaze protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.
The self-immolation, the 16th since March last year, occurred at around 1.30 pm Tibet time in the distraught Ngaba region. Currently, there are not many details available on the Tibetan man but he is believed to be dead.
According to reports, Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene of the self-immolation and severely beat the Tibetan layman while putting off the flame. As the Chinese security personnel started to take away the man, who was believed to be dead by then, local Tibetans angered with the Chinese authorities, reportedly gathered at the site and demanded the body to be handed over to them.
In the ensuing impromptu mass protest, Chinese security personnel fired on the crowd and used teargas. One elderly Tibetan woman has been confirmed dead as result of the firing. However, other sources indicate that the number of dead could be much more.
See map here
In a release, Free Tibet quoted an eyewitness as describing the situation as “terrifying” and that people were being “beaten” while “numerous people have been detained”.
The Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration in a release today condemned the “use of violence against civilians” and appealed the international community to “intervene so as to restrain the Chinese government from further use of violence”.
“The People’s Republic of China’s government must take full responsibility for these cases of self-immolation. It is within its power to end these unfortunate incidents by adopting liberal policies for Tibet and Tibetan people,” the CTA said.
The Ngaba region in Tibet, seat of the besieged Kirti monastery has seen 11 Tibetans – monks, nuns, and laymen – set their bodies on fire since March last year.
This year alone, four Tibetans have died after setting themselves ablaze protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.
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