Aug 15, 2012

Tibet: Police Beating Following Two Self-immolations Results In One Death


The Chinese police in Ngaba attacked Tibetan civilians with spiked batons after two monks set themselves on fire, demanding the Dalai Lama’s return and freedom for Tibetans. One was killed and many more severely injured. 

Below is a press release published by the Central Tibetan Administration:

 

Fresh reports coming out of Tibet say a Tibetan man was beaten to death by the police after two more Tibetans self-immolated in Ngaba in north-eastern Tibet yesterday [13 August 2012]. A large number of Tibetans were also severely injured in the police beating.

 

The Central Tibetan Administration has strongly condemned the use of force by the Chinese authorities in dealing with the peaceful Tibetan protestors and urge them to exercise utmost restraint. 

 

Lungtok, 20, a monk of Kirti monastery, and Tashi, 21, a former monk of Kirti monastery, shouted slogans while walking on the main street in Ngaba with their bodies engulfed in flame. They were forcibly taken away by the police, but local people fear they might not survive due to severe burning. 

 

Immediately after the incident, a large number of police were deployed at the site after local Tibetans raised slogans in protest. The police beat the Tibetans with spiked batons, leaving one Tibetan dead with his entire head covered with blood, and many severely injured. 

 

Additional contingent of armed police have been deployed throughout the Ngaba region.

 

A latest report says one the self-immolators, Lungtok, has died in Barkham.

 

With the latest two self-immolations, 49 Tibetans have so far set themselves on fire demanding His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet and crying for freedom for Tibetans.