Tibet self-immolation death toll reaches 25/ENG

2012. április 10./TNN/Tibet Sun/TibetPress

Self-immolations inside Tibet are continuing as monks are continuing to protest against Chinese oppression there. Tenpa Dargay, a monk of the Kirti monastery, who set himself on fire in Tibet on 30 March, died on last Saturday.

According to a statement of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Tenpa Dhargay and Chemi Palden had set themselves on fire on 30 March. They were both from the Tsodun Kirti monastery in eastern Tibet. Chemi Palden died a day later while Tenpa Dhargay, who was critically injured, breathed his last on 7 April at a hospital in the Ngaba region.

The statement said that his body was cremated at the hospital by Chinese officials even though his family and the local people had made repeated pleas to the officials concerned to hand over his body. His last remains were handed over to relatives later.

The exiled government further claimed that it was also reported that three large military convoys closely followed the procession of local people when Tenpa Dhargay’s remains were being taken to the Tsodun Kirti monastery. Heavy military presence continued to remain around the Kirti monastery and surrounding areas, it added.

In Tibet, over 30 people have self-immolated demanding freedom and return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

Recently, Tibetan prime minister Lobsang Sangay visited Japan and on the final day of his visit 60 Japanese parliamentarians from five political parties had expressed their concern over self-immolations of Tibetans in Tibet. They made a unanimous appeal to the Chinese government to end its decades of repressive policies by addressing the Tibetans’ grievances.