Huge demonstrations, as Tibetan immolates self

Herald Globe Thursday 9th February, 2012

BEIJING - Another Tibetan, said to be a monk, has set himself on fire in the troubled southwest Chinese province of Sichuan as thousands defied a security crackdown protesting against Beijing rule, according to a report.

Radio Free Asia quoting local and exile sources said a Tibetan, who appeared to be a monk, set himself ablaze in Sichuan province Wednesday "in anger at Chinese rule".

The self-immolation took place at a school in the main town of Ngaba prefecture, according to India-based monks Losang Yeshe and Kanyag Tsering. The monks are among the thousands of Tibetans living in exile in India with their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The unidentified Tibetan man was heard shouting slogans before he set himself afire, according to the monks. He was immediately taken away by security forces.

The incident took place as Tibetans across the globe held prayers and protests in honor of compatriots who "sacrificed" their lives for the Tibetan cause.

At least 20 monks, nuns and lay Tibetans have set themselves on fire over the last year, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama, who fled to India following a Tibetan uprising in 1959.

According to the US-funded broadcaster, Chinese security forces did not open fire to quell the protests in a sign of restraint.

They however attempted to stop the demonstrators who were shouting slogans and were carrying banners calling for a "free Tibet".

The latest demonstration follow a bloody violence two weeks ago when Chinese forces allegedly killed six Tibetans in separate incidents, according to human rights groups.