Another Tibetan dies after setting self on fire in anti-China protest

USPA News - A Tibetan man was killed on late Friday when he set himself on fire in protest against Chinese rule in Tibet, the Tibetan government-in-exile said on Sunday, raising the number of people who have set themselves on fire in similar protests since March 2011 to more than 80. The incident happened at around 6:30 p.m. local time on Friday when Tadin Dorjee, 29, set himself on fire at the entrance to the Dokarmo town office in Tsekhog township, which is located in western China`s Qinghai province. He was said to have chanted slogans in support of the Dalai Lama.

"He died on the spot," the Central Tibetan Administration said in a statement in which it reiterated its "deep concern" over the "alarming escalation" in self-immolations of Tibetans inside Tibet in recent weeks. "Thousands of local Tibetans offered prayers and attended his funeral that night." Chinese authorities reportedly cut off Internet access and phone lines following the incident. The self-immolation came less than 24 hours after former monk Tadin Kyab, 23, set himself on fire in Luqu County in China`s Gansu province. That incident came just several hours after 18-year-old Lubum Tsering set himself on fire in the monastery town of Tongren. Both protesters died at the scene. Central Tibetan Administration leader Lobsang Sangay, whose position is similar to that of a prime minister, on Saturday called on the international community to support Tibetans. "I appeal to the international community and governments to stand for justice by answering the universal aspirations of Tibetans in Tibet: the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans," he said. Since March 2011, a total of now 81 Tibetans have set themselves on fire as part of protests taking place in Tibet, leading to the arrests of hundreds of Tibetans by Chinese security forces. As a result of the unrest, Chinese authorities have stepped up security in the region, but the self-immolations have continued. The first incident happened on March 16, 2011, when 21-year-old Phuntsog from Kirti Monastery set himself on fire. It happened on the third anniversary of protests in Ngaba during which at least 13 people were shot dead by Chinese security forces. Phuntsog later died of his injuries. In October 2011, Sangay also expressed his concern about the incidents. "The incidents are a clear indication of the genuine grievances of the Tibetans and their sense of deep resentment and despair over the prevailing conditions in Tibet," he said at the time. "It is therefore of the utmost urgency that every possible effort be made to address the underlying root causes of Tibetan grievances and resentment." The Dalai Lama has resided in the Indian city of Dharamsala, which is now the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, since 1960 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule of Tibet. Dharamsala is also referred to as `Little Lhasa`, referring to the capital of Tibet.