Kunchok Tsering
Tibetan news sources are reporting that five more people have self-immolated in eastern Tibet in the past three days. Gonpo Tsering, a 24-year-old father of three young children, set himself on fire in front of the Ala Deu-go Monastery in Luchu region of Kanlho Monday evening, while calling for freedom and independence in Tibet. He died at the scene, and monks took his body inside the monastery to keep it away from Chinese police.
Phayul.com reports that Kunchok Tsering, 18, died after self-immolating near an abandoned gold mine in the Amchok region of eastern Tibet. Monks from the Amchok monastery, along with many local Tibetans, have reportedly gathered at his home to pay their respects. Kunchok Tsering leaves behind his wife, his parents, and an older brother.
Earlier on Monday, a student named Wangyal reportedly self-immolated in the town center in Sertha, eastern Tibet. Witnesses say he raised a sign calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama before setting himself on fire. Wangyal, who was around 20 years old, was reportedly taken away by Chinese police; his condition and whereabouts are unknown.
On Sunday, a nun named Sangay Dolma died after self-immolating in front of a Chinese government office in Tsekhog, Malho. On Friday, Tamding Dorjee, 29, self-immolated in the same location and also died in his fiery protest.
At least 85 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009, including 23 just this month.
(Photo: phayul.com)
