Dharamsala (AsiaNews) - Jamyang Palden, a Tibetan monk in his 30's set himself on fire in Rongwo (Rebkong County, Qinghai) at about 10.30 this morning. The cleric self-immolated near Rongwo monastery, the largest in the county and according to the latest information, has survived.
But his sacrifice has sparked a protest that is growing.
Witnesses say that as the monks gathered for prayer, Jamyang Palden went out into the square and set himself on fire. Staff of the Office for Religious Affairs and Public Safety arrived quickly and took him to hospital. A group of monks and lamas entered the same hospital and took the wounded man back to the monastery. They fear that the authorities would detain Jamyang, as soon as he recovers.
After the self-immolation, about 500 monks gathered in the square. They were joined by local people and neighboring villages, singing and praying under the close supervision of Chinese soldiers. Some of the demonstrators carried pictures of the Dalai Lama which are banned in Tibet. The monks then returned to the monastery, but religious of other monasteries are on their way to the city to express their solidarity.
A demonstration also broke out in the Yifu middle and high school, also in Rongwo. Last week there was a demonstration of over 700 students. Police surrounded the building with checkpoints on the streets, checking anyone who wants to enter or exit. A security cordon was also put up around the monastery.
Although Jamyang Palden survived in his sacrifice, he is in very serious conditions.
Today's self immolation brings to 25 the number of Tibetans to set themselves on fire to criticize Beijing and demand the return of the Dalai Lama. China accuses the Dalai Lama of encouraging these acts as an instrument of political pressure. In fact, the Tibetan leader has always claimed not to encourage this extreme form of protest, asking the young monks to preserve their life. He says that the desperation which created these gestures is caused by "cultural genocide" in Tibet and to which the Tibetans are submitted by the Chinese regime.
