Two Tibetans set themselves on fire in Qinghai

19.03.2012

Two Tibetans have set themselves on fire in the past week in self-immolation protests, now numbering at least 30 in the last year, that prompted hundreds to gather in mourning amid tight security.

Jamyang Palden, a 39-year-old monk, walked out of the Rongwo monastery to a town square in Tongren, in northwest Qinghai province known as Rebkong in Tibetan, in a petrol-doused robe and set himself on fire on Wednesday, the official Xinhua news agency and overseas groups reported. He survived after police covered his body with a sheet and was reportedly later taken to a hospital.

This was followed by the death of 44-year-old farmer Sonam Thargyal, who drank kerosene and set himself on fire in the same county, according to overseas groups. While this incident has not yet been confirmed by State media, photographs circulating on the Internet showed several hundred Tibetans gathering on Saturday to mourn his death. Overseas groups said at least 7,000 had gathered, though the numbers could not be confirmed.