DHARAMSHALA: Condemning the series of self-immolations by the Tibetans inside Tibet, the exile Tibetan leadership warns China that the ongoing wave of self-immolations inside Tibet will not end unless Beijing ends its repressive policies inside Tibet and address the genuine grievances of the Tibetan people.
This was stated by the acting Tibetan prime minister in exile late evening on Friday in mass prayer session, organized to mourn the demise of the Tsewang Dorjee, a 22-year-old nomad, who set himself afire on July 7 in the main market of Damshung, about 160 km from capital Lhasa, in an apparent protest against China's continued occupation of Tibet.
The prayer service, organized by the department of religion and culture, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) was led by H E Kirti Rinpoche. members of the Tibetan administration along with hundreds of Tibetans and foreigners attended the mass service at the Tsug-la Khang, the main Buddhist temple.
"Leaders in Beijing must understand that self-immolations will not stop unless China ends its repressive policies inside Tibet," said acting prime minister Dr Tsering Wangchuk.
The CTA earlier said, Tsewang Dorjee passed away after 90% burn, he shouted slogans for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama before Chinese security forces put out the flame and bundled him away.
"We mourn for the loss of lives of Tsewang Dorjee and Dhargey, 25, who set himself on fire in a twin self-immolation protest in Lhasa on May 27," said minister.
"We pray for the departed souls and pay our condolences to their family members," he added.
The Tibetan parliament-in-exile, following Tsewang Dorjee's self-immolation protest, said, the entire Damshung region is reeling under heavy security and people who witnessed the self-immolation protest have been arrested.
"The Chinese authorities in the region have arrested all the people who witnessed Tsewang Dorjee's self-immolation protest and have passed strict orders barring anyone from speaking about the protest," the Tibetan parliament said.
Since 2009, 43 Tibetans set themselves afire demanding freedom in Tibet and return of the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama from exile.
Meanwhile, the CTA in a statement issued here on Saturday has said US has called upon China to hold talks on Tibet.
"The US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has called on the Chinese government to hold a "serious dialogue" on the issue of Tibet during her meeting with Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi at the ASEAN Summit in Cambodia," said the CTA.Another case of self immolation.
Instead of releasing statements of mourning, they should be discouraging the Tibetan people and Sangha not to set themselves on fire! What is wrong with them? They blame it on China's "repressive policie inside Tibet"
My dearest people, please do not waste your life on such things. Why not focus your love and energy in Dharma and prayers? My love to all of you...
Btw, I would be happy to know what is the outcome of the "serious dialogue"! If there is ever one...
