9 Jul
2015
9 Jul
'15
5:21 p.m.
Tibetan Monk Self-Immolates in Kyegudo in Sixth Protest Burning This Year
JULY 9, 2015 - A Tibetan monk set himself ablaze on Thursday in northwestern China’s
Qinghai province in an apparent challenge to Beijing’s rule in Tibetan areas in the sixth
such protest this year, according to sources in the region and in exile.
The burning in the central square of Kyegudo in the Yulshul (in Chinese, Yushu) Tibetan
Autonomous Prefecture brings to 142 the total number of self-immolations by Tibetans since
the wave of fiery protests began in 2009.
The still unidentified monk was taken to hospital for treatment of his burns, but no word
has been received on his current condition or whereabouts, sources said.
“On July 9, sometime between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. [local time] a monk self-immolated in
Kyegudo’s Gesar Square,” a Tibetan living in exile told RFA’s Tibetan Service on Thursday,
citing contacts in the town.
“We still don’t know what his name is or which monastery he came from,” he said, adding
that though sources said the monk was transported to a local hospital for treatment, it is
unclear if he was taken there by bystanders or the police.
Kyegudo, the site of Thursday’s protest and Yulshul prefecture’s main town, was hit by a
devastating earthquake on April 14, 2010 that largely destroyed the town and killed almost
3,000 residents by official count.
Thursday’s burning is the sixth Tibetan self-immolation to take place since the beginning
of the year.
It follows the May 27 protest of Sangye Tso, a Tibetan mother of two, who set herself
ablaze and died outside Chinese police headquarters in Chone (Zhuoni) county in Gansu
province’s Kanlho (Gannan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Reported by Kalden Lodoe for RFA's Tibetan Service. Translated by Benpa Topgyal.
Written in English by Richard Finney.
View this story online at: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/sixth-07092015165728.html
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