Jigjey Kyab in an undated photo
A Tibetan teenager, doused in kerosene and holding lighters in his hands, was found dead from apparent poisoning on Saturday. A source said that 17-year-old Jigjey Kyab consumed poison before self-immolating to avoid being tortured by Chinese police if he survived his burns, but the poison killed him before he had a chance to set himself on fire. His body was found in a street in the Shigtsang Pungkor region of Luchu.
Phayul reports that Kyab leaves behind his parents and a sister, and his family described him as “an obedient and well-mannered boy, who was patriotic and felt strongly for the Tibetan self-immolators.” Chinese police visited Jigjey Kyab’s family after his death to interrogate them. Kyab had left behind a suicide note at his family’s home, which said “I pray that my aspirations will be fulfilled. If you are your mother’s son — rise up. Sons of the Land of Snows — rise up. Singers of the Snow Land — rise up. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for thousands of aeons. My respect to the white snow lion (symbol of Tibet). My prayers for happiness in Tibet.”
Over 100 Tibetans have self-immolated to protest China’s continued occupation of Tibet.
(Photo courtesy of phayul.com)
