CORRECTION ON YESHI KHANDO PHOTOGRAPH: An image that VOA used as being that of the self-immolation of Yeshi Khando on April 8, 2015 was incorrect. The image showing a person sitting cross legged on a street corner with three people using fire extinguishershas turned out to be that of the 2014 self-immolation of Lobsang Dorje in Amdo Ngaba. We apologize for the mistake.
A Tibetan nun has self immolated in Karze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province around 9am local time on Wednesday, April 8.
Yeshi Khando, 47, a native of Draksur Village in Tsogo Township of Drago county circumambulated around Karze monastery before setting herself on fire at Kubumshab, near the local county police station. The security personnell arrived within minutes of the incident and confiscated her body although witnesses believe she was close to death by then.
According to sources who have close ties to the area, the nun had shouted slogans calling for the long live and return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet, freedom for Tibetans, while pleading for 'One United Tibet.'
Further details on her whereabouts and condition are currently unknown.
The Chinese authorities in Tibet have intensified measures to prevent information reaching the outside world about the self-immolations. This has been combined with a more aggressive and formalized response to the self-immolations, involving harsh sentencing and torture for those suspected of involvement, even if that is simply bearing witness.
There has been over 138 known self immolators since 2009 inside Tibet to protest China's repressive policies towards Tibetans.