Tibetans shot at demonstration following self-immolation/ENG

2012. január 16./Tibet Society/TibetPress

[16 January 2012] Following the self-immolation of a Tibetan in Ngaba on 14 January, Chinese police fired into a crowd of Tibetans who had gathered in an impromptu demonstration. The Tibetan who set fire to himself is understood to have died and reports indicate at least one person was shot dead.

In the morning of 14 January a Tibetan layman (name not yet known) set himself on fire in Ngaba town (Sichuan province). According to reports received by exiled sources, the police beat the man severely as they extinguished the flames. It is understood the Tibetan died at the scene.

According to emerging reports, a crowd of up to 700 Tibetans gathered at the local police station following the immolation and demanded the body was handed over. Armed police opened fire on the crowd and used tear gas. One elderly Tibetan woman was reportedly shot dead. Some reports indicate two Tibetans were shot and several seriously injured.

In response to this latest incident the Tibetan government in exile issued a statement saying, "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."

There are serious concerns for repercussions for Tibetans in the area and a further escalation of tensions. Tibet Society calls upon the British government to press the Chinese government to use restraint in Ngaba and withdraw its troops to ease mounting tensions.

This self-immolation is the 16th in Tibet since March 2011 and the 11th to have taken place in Ngaba. The yet unnamed layman is the 12th Tibetan known to have died.