Two Tibetans set themselves on fire on Thursday, bringing the total number of self-immolations this month to 18.
Tamding Kyab, 23, set himself on fire around 10 pm in Kluchu in Kanlho (Ch: Gannan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Gansu Province).Tamding, who is a former monk of Shitsang monastery is reported to have died at the scene of the protest.
Local Tibetans carried his body to his home where monks from Shitsang monastery performed prayers, according to sources with contacts in the area. The same sources say that Tamding Kyab frequently of the increasing self-immolation protests and expressed his desire to see the Dalai Lama.
Another Tibetan named Lubhum Gyal, 18, died after setting himself on fire around 4:20 pm on Thrusday to protest China’s repressive policy and imposition of the stringent restrictions in Rebkong or Tongren county in Malho Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Qinghai Province.
The series of Tibetan self-immolations show no signs of abating as Tibetans continue to self-immolate to demand self-rule by Tibetans. Since 2009, more than 80 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze in protests against China and to call for return of the Dalai Lama.
Following the recent incidents of alarming number of self-immolations by Tibetans in protest of Chinese rule, the US State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland said the US has been regularly raising its concern about the Tibetan self-immolations with Chinese authorities.
“We encourage China to work with authorities in Tibet to address the grievances of the people and to protect the cultural diversity of their country,” said Nuland.