Eighth Tibetan Self-Immolates, Tibetan Parliamentarians Meet Indian Leaders and Embassy Officials for Help

Monday, October 17, 2011

Tibet.net

Clockwise: Lobsang Phuntsok, 20, of Kirti monastery in Ngaba; Tsewang Norbu, 29, of Nyitso monastery in Karze, Lobsang Kelsang, 18 and Lobsang Kunchok, 19, of Kirti monastery; Norbu Damdul, 19, former monk of Kirti monastery; Choephel, 19 and Khaying, 18, former monks of Kirti monastery and Kelsang Wangchuk, 19, of Kirti monastery; Out of these, Lobsang Phuntsok, Tsewang Norbu, Khaying and Choephel died.

DHARAMSHALA, India-- A 19-year-old former monk of Kirti monastery in northeastern set himself on fire last Saturday, shouting slogans to reinforce yearning for freedom and His Holiness the Dalai Lama's return to his people in Tibet.

“Norbu Damdul set himself on fire in the street of Ngaba county and shouted in shrill voice slogans demanding freedom for Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” an eye witness said.

“The police doused the flame and knocked him to the ground by hitting with fire extinguishing equipments. He did not die on the spot though his body was severely burned. He was then bundled into a small police van and taken away. His whereabouts is still unknown,” the eye witness said.

A large number of police and armed forces were deployed at the spot following the incident. The government has also imposed travel ban in and out of the region.

With this latest incident, eight young Tibetans have so far set themselves on fire to protest China's occupation and repression of Tibet. Four of them died. (Fact sheet on self-immolation incidents in Tibet).

Tibetan Parliamentarians led by Speaker Penpa Tsering meet Mr Mohan Singh, (3rd from right) senior member of Indian Parliament in New Delhi on 15 October 2011

As the tragic tragic incidents of self-immolations by Tibetans continue, the Central Tibetan Administration has urged international community must press the government of People's Republic of China to restore freedom and resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue for the mutual benefit of the Tibetan and Chinese people.

The Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile are jointly carrying out activities in India and the world-at-large to highlight the deepening crisis in Tibet.

A 12-member delegation of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile rushed to Delhi last week to organise activities, including meeting with Indian leaders and senior officials at various embassies, to seek their help to press the Chinese government to end its repression in Tibet.

The parliamentary delegation led by Speaker and Deputy Speaker have met Indian leaders including parliamentarians, religious leaders and senior officials at embassies of Italy and Belgium since 14 October.

As a mark of their support and solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet, Tibetans and Tibet supporters across the world will hold a day-long prayer service and fasting in their respective areas on coming Wednesday, 19 October.