Reports have come in about three separate self-immolation protests today in Tibetan areas of Sichuan. Phayul reports on the deaths of two monks at Kirti Monastery:
The exile seat of the Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala identified the two monks as Lobsang Dawa, 20 and Kunchok Woeser, 22.
“The two monks set themselves on fire at 6:40 pm (local time) near the right side of the main prayer hall of the Taktsang Lhamo Monastery protesting China’s repressive policies,” the Kirti Monastery release said. “Both of them passed away at the site of the protest.”
According to reports, the body of the two monks were later taken to their respective monastic quarters where fellow monks carried out prayers.
“Local Chinese authorities have issued orders for the cremation of the two monks by early tomorrow morning,” the release said.
A woman was also reported to have set herself on fire in another part of Sichuan, though few details are available. From Radio Free Asia:
Also on Wednesday, at about 2:00 p.m., a 23–year-old Tibetan woman set herself on fire and died in a protest against Chinese rule in Sichuan’s Dzamthang (Rangtang) county, Tibetan sources said.
The woman’s name and other details of her protest are still unknown.
Well-known Tibetan poet and blogger Woeser confirmed the woman’s protest, describing her in a blog entry as a “shepherdess.”
Last week, a 20-year-old mother self-immolated in Sichuan. Since 2009, more than 100 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest Beijing’s policies in the region.
