Fifth Tibetan self-immolation in two days as China clamps down on freedom protests
- Five people in 48 hours have set themselves alight in anti-China protests
- An 18-year-old man died in Rongwo, Rebkong County
- Yesterday three teenage monks self-immolated in the first documented triple-incident in Tibet
By ANNA EDWARDS and SARA MALM
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Chinese military forces have been mobilised in Chinese occupied Tibet after the fifth self-immolation in less than 48 hours was reported today.
The security forces have been called to Rebkong County in central China to prevent local people from joining a protest calling for the return of the Dalai Lama.
The latest incident follows the first documented case of a triple self-immolation where three teenage Tibetan monks set themselves alight as they called for the freedom of Tibet.
The monks set fire to themselves in Tibet as they begged for freedom from China
Several thousand people gathered in a peaceful protest after an 18-year-old man named Jinpa set fire to himself at around 5pm local time.
Jinpa hailed from the same area as Tamdin Tso, a 23-year-old woman who self-immolated yesterday.
The earlier triple self-immolation took place at approximately 3pm local time yesterday outside the gates of the local Public Security Bureau office in Gomang Township, Ngaba County, Eastern Tibet, which the Chinese refer to as Sichuan province.
Tamdin Tso died in the name of freedom
The boys called out for freedom in Tibet and for the return of the Dalai Lama as they set themselves on fire. Security forces arrived at the scene almost immediately.
The youngest monk, 15-year-old Dorjee, died at the scene.
His companions, 16-year-olds Samdup and Dorjee Kyab, were taken to hospital by security forces.
Their current whereabouts and wellbeing are unknown.
Tamdin Tso, who had a five year-old son, died at the scene after setting herself alight, near Rongwo in Rebkong County, Eastern Tibet.
Tamdin Tso took petrol from a motorbike and set fire to herself in the family's winter pasture.
Her body was taken back to her family’s home and local people gathered there to pray.
Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden said: 'These are the youngest Tibetans to set fire to themselves in protest at China’ s occupation.
'This is also the largest single incident, yet another indication of the escalation of protests in Tibet.'
The five self-immolations follows reports from Rebkong, known as Tongren in Chinese, that people have been threatened with two years’ imprisonment for receiving or making international calls.
Chinese authorities are tightening their grip on the area in conjunction with the Communist party’s congress in Beijing.
International campaign organisation Free Tibet reported that in the days before the congress began, footage of security forces on training exercises has been broadcast across the Tibetan region.
It warned local people that Chinese security forces will be 'ready to do whatever it takes to crush those who are destroying stability in the region to ensure that the 18th Party Congress is not disrupted’
Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden said there are grave concerns for the safety of the people of Rebkong County following the footage.
‘As Congress opens, China must be held accountable for its actions in Tibet,’ she said.
'These protests are aimed at sending the next generation of China’s unelected regime a clear signal that Tibetans will continue to fight for their freedom despite China’s efforts to suppress and intimidate them.
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