Four self immolation in Tibet in 2 days

Tsephag Kyab, 21, set himself on fire in Labrang region in Sangchu County, Eastern Tibet  October 27: Four Tibetans have immolated themselves in just two days in three different regions of Tibet. Tsephag Kyab, 21, set himself on fire yesterday around 7 PM (local time) in Labrang Sangkho in Sangchu. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. Tsephag is survived by his wife Dorjee Dolma, 18, mother Lumo Jam and an elder brother named Tashi Dhondup. Thupten, a Tibetan living in South India with a close contact in a region said, “A large number of local Tibetans gathered in a region and prevent the Chinese forces from taking Tsephag’s body.” His charred body is currently in the hand of his family members. Thupten cited witnesses saying Tsephag raised the slogans demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet and Release of Panchen Rinpoche Gedun Choekyi Nyima and other Political prisoners. “Following the self immolation, a large number of Chinese Armed Forces and Chinese Security forces are deployed in the area and the situation is described as tense and under strict surveillance. Earlier the same day, Lhamo Tseten, 24, set himself on fire near the Amchok Township Court at 2:30 PM (local time) in Sangchu County in Amdo, Eastern Tibet. He succumbed to his injuries at the protest site. On October 25, Two Tibetans set themselves ablaze in Nagro Phampa township in Driru County, Kham. Tsepo, 20 and Tenzin, 25 set themselves on fire near a school in Nagro Phampa region. Tsepo is believed to be dead while there is no information on Tenzin's condition and his whereabouts. They raised slogans demanding return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. Tenzin was a former student of TCV Suja where he had studied for around six months. Since 2009, 62 Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tibet and Freedom in Tibet.

Third Self Immolation in Tibet in four days

Dorjee Rinchen (File photo)  October 23: News have just come in of another self immolation protest in Tibet. 3 Tibetans from Sangchu County have resorted to self immolation since Saturday to express their protest against China's policies and demand the return of the exile Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Dorjee Rinchen, 58, today set himself ablaze near the Chinese Army camp at 3:30 PM (local time) in Sangchu county where two others, Lhamo Kyab and Dhondup, had died after setting themselves ablaze on Saturday and Monday respectively. Amchok, a Tibetan living in South India with close contacts in the region, said, Dorjee Rinchen succumbed to his burns at the site of his protest and that his charred body was currently with his family member. “The monks of the Labrang Monastery offered special prayers for the deceased on the streets as they were not allowed to visit Dorjee Rinchen's house.” Following the self-immolation, a minor scuffle broke out at the site of the protest between Chinese authorities and local Tibetans. A new report by the United States Congress released this month found that the increasing use of repressive measures by the Chinese government and the failure of the stalled Sino-Tibet dialogue process were concurrent with the demands of the growing number of self-immolation by Tibetans. The bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China in its 2012 Annual Report said that during the reporting year, the incidence of Tibetans resorting to self-immolation “accelerated sharply” with the Chinese government refusing to accept its policy failure in Tibet. “The Party and government have not indicated any willingness to consider Tibetan grievances in a constructive manner and to hold themselves accountable for Tibetan rejection of Chinese policies, and handled the crisis as a threat to state security and social stability instead of as a policy failure,” the report said. Since 2009, 58 Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and Freedom in Tibet.

Another Tibetan burns to death in protest against China, Fourth self-immolation this month

Lhamo Kyab in an undated photo. October 20: Another Tibetan has set himself on fire today in protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet in Bora, Sangchu region of Amdo, eastern Tibet. Lhamo Kyab, 27, father of two young daughters, today set himself on fire near the Bora Monastery at around 2 pm (local time) in Sangchu district. According to eyewitnesses, he succumbed to his burn injuries at the site of his protest. According to Sonam, a Tibetan living in south India with close contacts in the region, Lhamo Kyab set himself on fire on a road near the Bora Monastery. "Engulfed in flames, Lhamo Kyab raised slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and then fell to the ground after walking a few steps," Sonam told Phayul. Following the self-immolation, a minor scuffle broke out at the site of the protest between Chinese security personnel and local Tibetans, who succeeded in carrying Lhamo Kyab’s charred body inside the Monastery’s main prayer hall. "The monks began to offer prayers for the deceased, even as a large number of Tibetans started to arrive at the Monastery upon hearing about the protest," the same source said. As of latest information received, monks and local Tibetans have carried Lhamo Kyab’s body to his home. He is survived by his wife Droji Kyi and two daughters Pema Tso and Drugmo Tso, both under 10 years of age. The month of October has now witnessed four self-immolations in Tibet. Gudrub, 43,Sangya Gyatso, 27, and Tamdin Dorjee, 52, all passed away in their fiery protests. On May 27 this year, Dorjee Tseten, a native of Bora, set himself on fire in front of the historic Jokhang Temple in Tibet’s capital Lhasa, along with his colleague at work, Dhargey. On March 20 earlier this year, more than 100 monks from the Bora Monastery had marched towards the township-level government buildings carrying Tibetan flags and pictures of the Dalai Lama calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama. The next day, Chinese security officers entered the Monastery at around 2 am (local time) and arrested 40 monks, prompting a gathering of a large number of monks calling for the immediate release of fellow monks. The local security officials, fearing more protests, released all 40 monks a few hours later, but told the monks to make “personal statements” admitting that they have made a “mistake” which they will not repeat in future. Bora monastery has faced heavy restrictions since the 2008 uprisings in Tibet. The restrictions were tightened after Losar, Tibetan New Year this year when monks in the monastery displayed a picture of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government, in the lead up to next month’s Party Congress, which will see its once in a decade top leadership change, has called for stricter measures to maintain stability and suppress dissenting voices. 56 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in Tibet demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

US Ambassador to China visited Ngaba: State Department

US Ambassador to China Gary Locke October 17: The State Department has revealed that the US Ambassador to China last month visited the beleaguered Ngaba region of eastern Tibet, which remains the epicenter of the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet. Ambassador Gary Locke visited the Ngaba region in September as part of a broader trip to Chongqing and Sichuan province, State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland told reporters at a regular news conference Tuesday. Nuland said Locke met with government officials and residents in Ngaba and visited villages and Buddhist monasteries to learn more about how Tibetans live and work. "When he was in Aba, he met with a number of local residents, including ethnic Tibetans. He also visited villages and monasteries to learn more about how ethnic Tibetan people live and work and to have a chance to talk to them," Nuland said. She reiterated "grave concern" by the US over the rising number of immolations and urged "better dialogue" between China and Tibet. "We have grave concerns about self-immolations in Tibet and about the underlying grievances that the Tibetan people have. And we have consistently urged dialogue between the Chinese government and the Tibetan people with regard to those grievances," Nuland told reporters. Ngaba is home to the Kirti Monastery, where the self-immolations began in February 2009. Since then, 55 Tibetans have set themselves on fire demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Tibet's elected leader Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has maintained that the "blame as well as the solution" for the self-immolation protests lie with the Chinese government. "We have discouraged drastic actions, including self-immolations, but unfortunately Tibetans seem to be saying this is the only form of protest left, because any other form of protest the consequences is similar - you get arrested, tortured and often die," Dr Sangay told reporters. Earlier this month, an undercover reporter for the Australia Broadcasting Corporation, who was able to gain rare access to the otherwise no-go zone of eastern Tibet, said that every Tibetan town he visited was "crawling with police." After being chased, caught, and escorted out of Tibet, the reporter summed up his short visit saying: "Behind us is fear, resentment and tragedy, along with government policies showing no sign of winning over Tibetans."

Indians carry Tibetan flag to Indo-Tibetan border, Demand end to Tibet crisis

Tibetans holding the Tibetan National Flag at Indo-Tibetan border pass of Bumla in Tawang, Arunachal PradeshOctober 16: A group of Indian supporters and Tibetans carried Tibetan national flags to the Indo-Tibetan border pass of Bumla in the Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh calling for an end to the ongoing crisis in Tibet. Bumla is located at around 37 kms from Tawang, which China claims as ‘southern Tibet.’ 47 Indians from seven different states of India along with 36 Tibetans took part in the Tawang Yatra organised by the all-India Tibetan support group, Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch. Senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and chief patron of BTSM, Indresh Kumar led the Yatra, which began Wednesday from the Assamese city of Guwahati. In his address, Kumar said the rally aimed at creating awareness amongst the Indian public over China’s “barbaric rule” in Tibet and Beijing’s “indifferent policies” towards India. “This is not just a rally or journey but an initiative to tell those, who have conquered peace loving Tibet and now are claiming many parts of India to be theirs, that injustice will no more be tolerated,” said Kumar. “By visiting Tawang we Indians want to tell China that Tawang is a part of India and will always remain so”. The senior Indian leader added that India’s “horrible mistake” of regarding Tibet as a part of China can only be salvaged by supporting the cause of an “independent Tibet.” Travelling in cars adorned with Tibetan National flags, the Yatra made stopovers at different places along the road, generating awareness amongst the people and talking to the locals on the issue of Tibet. Indian and Tibetan participants of the Tawang Yatra stand at Bumla at the completion of their campaign calling for an end to the crisis inside Tibet. Tracing back the same road to Bumla, from where China had attacked India during the 1962 Sino-Indian war, the Yatra also paid homage to the Indian soldiers who fought in the war. Upon reaching Bumla, many of the Tibetan participants broke down at the sight of their country. The participants hoisted prayer flags and offered prayers and prostrations facing Tibet. Returning from the border post, the Yatra was received at the Tawang Monastery by Abbot Guru Tulku Rinpoche, who expressed his deep appreciation to the Indians for their support. Later in the evening, members of the India army posted in the region arranged the screening of documentary films on the 1962 war and the history of the Tawang region for the Yatra participants. Buoyed by the success of this years’ Tawang Yatra, Mahesh Chadda, the convenor of the relay announced that the campaign will now be held every year.

Breaking: 52nd self-immolation inside Tibet

Tamdin Dorjee's charred body lies on the ground after his self-immolation protest against China's occupation of Tibet on October 13, 2012. October 13: In confirmed reports coming out of Tibet, yet another Tibetan has set himself on fire in protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Tamdin Dorjee, 52, set himself on fire around 1:00 pm (local time) on October 13th Saturday in Tsoe, Kanlho region of north-eastern Tibet. Tamdin Dorjee passed away at the site of his protest. Eye witnesses have told sources in exile that Tamdin Dorjee raised slogans for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet. According to Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration, his body was later taken to his home, following which a prayer service was conducted by monks at Tsoe Monastery. Local Tibetans are visiting his home to pay their last respects. Tamdin Dorjee is the grandfather of the 7th Gunthang Rinpoche, who is one of the most revered religious leaders in the region. The Monastery has been sealed off and Chinese Security forces have moved into the area. Intense restrictions are in place. Tsoe has already witnessed two self-immolations by Dolkar Tso and Sangay Gyatso. Both of them passed away in their fiery protests. 55 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet.

“If we speak the truth, they will beat us to death”

A screen grab of the video report by Australia Broadcasting Corporation’s China correspondent Stephen McDonell. October 9: In one of the rare voices from behind the veil of China’s military lockdown in Tibet, a Tibetan woman has told an undercover international news reporter that Tibetans have no rights and are beaten to death for speaking the truth. The woman, who’s identity is not revealed, is from a region near Ngaba in eastern Tibet, the epicenter of the ongoing wave of self-immolation protests in Tibet. “We don't have any rights, even the right of speech. They tell us exactly what we have to say. If we speak the truth, they will arrest us and beat us to death,” the woman tells Australia Broadcasting Corporation’s China correspondent Stephen McDonell. When asked about the self-immolations, she says that she has heard of it. “They forced those people to die. There is something wrong with the Communist Party and this country,” she tells Stephen in Mandarin. “All countries in the world should pray together for the downfall of the Communist Party so it's not here anymore. They are extremely bad.” Although Tibet remains, for the most part, a no-go zone for foreign journalists, the team from ABC found a way to sneak into eastern Tibetan areas. In earlier instances, journalists attempting to enter Tibet have been warned, detained in some cases, and forced back. Throughout the 10-minute video report broadcast today, Stephen’s team is followed, warned, and eventually thrown out of the region. “Every Tibetan town we visit is crawling with police,” Stephen says in his narration. “We're inevitably seen, and from this point each time we walk out the door people are waiting for us. The same cars appear behind us again and again, and spotters start popping up all over the place.” At one point in the report, a Chinese government vehicle pulls the ABC team on a mountain road and tells the team members, out of “concern,” that Tibetan dogs could pose a threat to them. Recently, the Chinese government had refused to allow an investigative team of Australian officials from entering Tibet to find the causes behind the wave of self-immolations, which has seen 54 Tibetans set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tibet’s elected leader Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay has maintained that the blame and solution for the self-immolations lie with the Chinese government. “We have discouraged drastic actions, including self-immolations, but unfortunately Tibetans seem to be saying this is the only form of protest left, because any other form of protest the consequences is similar - you get arrested, tortured and often die,” Dr Sangay said. The ABC team, after a successful detour, is again traced by “angry” Chinese government officials. When Stephen asks them why they are being sent back and what is the problem, the Chinese officials simply reply: “Because you're a journalist. Because this is a Tibetan area.” “We're escorted out of town until they make sure we're leaving the area well and truly. Behind us is fear, resentment and tragedy, along with government policies showing no sign of winning over Tibetans,” Stephen sums up his short visit to Tibet.

Tibet continues to burn, 54th self-immolation

Sangay Gyatso's charred body lies on the ground after his self-immolation protest against China's occupation of Tibet on October 6, 2012.  October 6: In confirmed reports and photos coming out of Tibet, another Tibetan set himself on fire today in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet. Exile sources say that a Tibetan man, Sangay Gyatso, set himself on fire in Tsoe region of Kanlho, Amdo eastern Tibet at around 12 pm (local time). He carried out his protest near the Dokar Monastery. Sangay Gyatso, a father of two, is believed to have passed away in his self-immolation protest. In the photos of his fiery protest that have reached exile, Sangay Gyatso’s body is seen completely charred. Since 2009, a known number of 54 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire demanding freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Sangay Gyatso’s protest comes only two days after a Tibetan writer, Gudrup passed away in his self-immolation protest on October 4 in Nagchu. The recently concluded meeting of exile Tibetans to discuss the ongoing crisis in Tibet had sent a strong message of unity and solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet and a call for greater activism in exile. The special meeting, while expressing concern over the loss of Tibetan lives, declared that the Chinese government will be held solely responsible in the event of the situation inside Tibet escalating further. In light of the critical situation inside Tibet, the meeting had also recommended the revival of the ‘Tibetan Solidarity Committee’ to head the global Tibet activities and also pushed for the creation of a ‘voluntary emergency fund’ to finance the campaigns.

New report challenges Xi Jinping to address Tibet crisis

October 3: Tibet activists launched a new report today directed at the Chinese Communist Party’s leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping, challenging him to take “immediate steps towards a just and lasting resolution to the occupation of Tibet, or face greater international condemnation and domestic instability.” The report titled ‘Xi Jinping's Tibet Challenge: 60 Years of Failed Policies in Tibet’ was launched simultaneously from London, New York, Washington, and Sydney via an online press conference. The report exposes “decades of China’s failed policies” in Tibet, holding them as the “direct cause” of the ongoing wave of self-immolation protests in which at least 52 Tibetans have set themselves on fire, since 2009, demanding freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Co-authors of the report, the International Tibet Network, Students for a Free Tibet, and the Australia Tibet Council pointed out that human rights in Tibet are “routinely abused” and Tibetans have become marginalised politically, socially and economically. Xi is slated to replace Hu Jintao as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party at its upcoming 18th National Congress on November 8 in Beijing. “Xi Jinping is set to inherit a wide array of challenges but the occupation of Tibet poses one of the greatest threats to China’s global standing and long-term stability,” said Tenzin Jigme of the International Tibet Network. Addressing the press conference, Tenzin Dorjee of SFT noted that for Xi, Tibet is his “biggest challenge” and a litmus test set to define his legacy as a leader. “The challenge before Xi is to take the path of his father, a revolutionary hero and bring about a peaceful resolution for Tibet, or be remembered as a failed leader like Hu Jintao,” Dorjee said. “China’s legitimacy to rule Tibet has never been weaker, and Tibetan resistance to occupation has never been stronger.” The report further outlines China’s attempts to maintain their occupation of Tibet through “Three Pillars of Coercive Control: Military Occupation, Colonial Rule, and Fear and Intimidation,” and contextualizes the growing Tibetan resistance at a time when China faces “great political change and uncertainty.” “Tibetans are moving beyond fear, and by engaging in acts of outright defiance and embracing new forms of resistance they ultimately have the power to bring down China’s pillars of coercive control in Tibet,” said Kyinzom Dhongdue of ATC. “Xi must resolve the Tibet issue swiftly and peacefully or risk creating an even greater crisis of geopolitical significance.” Tibet’s elected leader, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay recently told reporters at the end of special meeting called to discuss the crisis in Tibet that Tibetans “do not tolerate China’s present policies and the continued occupation of Tibet.” “We will do whatever we can to support our brothers and sisters in Tibet and we squarely blame the present tragedy in Tibet on the hard-line policies of the Chinese government,” Sikyong Sangay had said.

Two teenaged Tibetans served lengthy jail terms

Two teenaged Tibetans served lengthy jail terms

Lobsang Tsultrim in an undated photo. October 2: Chinese courts in eastern Tibet have sentenced two teenaged Tibetan monks from the beleaguered Kirti Monastery in Ngaba to lengthy jail terms on currently unknown charges. Dharamshala based rights group Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in a release today identified the two as Lobsang Tsultrim, 19 and Lobsang Jangchup, 17. Citing sources with close contacts in the region, TCHRD said Lobsang Tsultrim, was sentenced to 11 years in prison sometime in the beginning of September while Lobsang Jangchup was sentenced to 8 years around the same time. Both the monks were detained in March earlier this year from their monastic quarters by local Chinese security officers on unknown charges. “For over five months, no one had any information about the monks' whereabouts or the place of their detention,” TCHRD said. “The trial was held in complete secrecy in the absence of the monks' family members.” Local Tibetans in Ngaba believe that the monks were arrested and sentenced on suspicion of their involvement in the March 10, 2012 self-immolation protest by Gepey, a common friend of Lobsang Tsultrim and Lobsang Jangchup. “However, there is no information on the exact charges that led to their conviction. Their whereabouts and the place of their imprisonment is not available at the moment,” TCHRD said. Gepey, 18, a Kirti Monastery monk burned himself to death in an apparent protest against China’s rule on March 10, the day marking the 53rd anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprisings. Gepey carried out his fiery protest near a military camp in Ngaba town that was built in the 1950s for China’s “liberation army” when they first invaded Tibet. Since 2009, the ongoing wave of self-immolations has witnessed 52 Tibetans inside Tibet set themselves on fire demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently expressed America's concerns over the increasing instances of self-immolations in Tibet and violations of human rights at a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. "The Secretary, as she always does, raised human rights concerns – notably in this particular meeting, concerns about Tibet and increasing pace of immolations," a senior US official said after Clinton met Yang on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

Indian defence minister says negotiations with China over border disputes in ‘final stages’

Tibetan activists being arrested for protesting outside the venue of the Sino-India border talks in New Delhi on January 17, 2012. (Photo/AP/Saurabh Das)  October 1: Indian Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters today that negotiations over long-standing disputes along the Indo-Tibetan border with China are in the “final stages.” "Everybody knows that border dispute is still unresolved, inspite of the fact that many rounds of negotiations have taken place. Of course, it (the negotiations) is in the final stage," he was quoted as saying on sidelines of a function on the annual day of Defence Accounts Department in New Delhi. However, he refrained from discussing in detail the progress of the 15 rounds of talks held between specially appointed representatives. "The pending resolution of the border dispute (is important) to avoid major tensions in the border. It should be done through governmental set up and mechanism for border management involving Services, MEA and other stake holders," Antony further said. Earlier this year, a hard-hitting report by an independent group of Indian analysts had warned that China may resort to territorial grabs on India, including through a "major military offensive." "Our frontiers with China have been mostly stable for some years now. However, China could assert its territorial claims (especially in the Arunachal sector or Ladakh) by the use of force," the report titled "Non-Alignment 2.0: A Foreign and Strategic Policy for the 21st century" said. The report argued that India can't "entirely dismiss the possibility of a major military offensive in Arunachal Pradesh or Ladakh" and suggest a response with "a strategy of quid pro quo.” Recently, Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh "assured" that his forces are prepared to deal with any eventuality similar to what happened in 1962. "I am assuring the nation that 1962 will not be repeated. That's the assurance I am giving. We will not let any enemy enter our territory. Plans are afoot on all borders," Gen Singh had said. At the latest round of border talks held earlier this year in New Delhi the two Asia giants had decided to set up a “new mechanism” to maintain peace on the border called the "working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border affairs.” However, exile Tibetan groups have called the border talks “illegal and insensitive,” noting that until China’s invasion of Tibet in 1949, India shared its northern border with Tibet, not China. Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile, has maintained that territorial talks between India and China are “inextricably linked to the issue of Tibet” and that China has “no right to re-write Tibet’s history.” India and China occupied Tibet share a 3488 km long disputed border which was the cause of a short but bloody war in 1962. Since then, the two Asian giants have shared uneasy military ties.

Tibetan monk Jamyang Palden succumbs to injuries six months after fiery protest

Tibetan self-immolator, monk Jamyang Palden, in an undated photo. October 1: Tibetan self-immolator Jamyang Palden, a monk at the Rongwo Monastery in Rebkong, eastern Tibet, has reportedly succumbed to his injuries after an ordeal that lasted for more than six months. Jamyang Palden, 34, passed away in the evening of September 29, at his monastery quarters. According to India based Tibetan language news portal, Tibet Times, monks at the monastery gathered in large numbers to offer prayers for the deceased, soon after news of his passing away broke out. Monks and local Tibetans had been nursing Jamyang Palden and taking care of him since his discharge from a hospital in the nearby Malho town. “Due to his severe burn injuries, he showed very little signs of improvement and finally passed away,” the report quoted an exile Tibetan with contacts in the region as saying. On March 14, Jamyang Palden set himself on fire in an apparent protest against the Chinese government on a ground in front of his monastery. Tibetans who were present at the site of his fiery protest immediately took him to a hospital but brought him back to the monastery to rescue him from falling into the hands of Chinese security personnel. A large number of monks and local Tibetans had gathered at the ground in front of the monastery to offer prayers and mark their protest. According to confirmed reports, Tibetans who had survived their self-immolation protest suffered amputations of all limbs and were subjected to verbal abuse, interrogations and maltreatment from the doctors and Chinese officials at the hospitals. Days after Jamyang Palden’s self-immolation protest, Sonam Dhargey, a 44-year-old father of three, set himself ablaze near the Rongwo town centre and succumbed to his burns at his protest site. Marching in the street, engulfed in flames, eyewitnesses said Sonam Dhargey called for the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Sonam Dhargey had wound his torso with barbed wires, a tactic that has been earlier used by self-immolating Tibetans to restrict Chinese security personnel from getting hold of their bodies. Local Tibetans had carried Sonam Dhargey’s body to Dolma Square, the main ground in front of the Rongwo monastery, where according to reports, more than 8000 Tibetans gathered to pay their last respects and mark their protest against the Chinese government. Since 2009, there have been 52 known cases of self-immolations in Tibet, out of which now 42 Tibetans have passed away. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently expressed America's concerns over the increasing instances of self-immolations in Tibet and violations of human rights at a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. "The Secretary, as she always does, raised human rights concerns – notably in this particular meeting, concerns about Tibet and increasing pace of immolations," a senior US official said after Clinton met Yang on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.