3 Tibetans die in self-immolation protests

BEIJING: Two Buddhist monks and a Tibetan woman died after setting themselves on fire in southwestern China on Thursday as self-immolation protests against Chinese rule in the restive Himalayan region, resumed after a brief lull.

The protests coincide with the visit of French President Francois Hollande and European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to Beijing.

Two Tibetan monks aged 20 and 23 set themselves on fire at the Kirti monastery in Aba county in Sichuan province, according to US-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Britain-based rights group Free Tibet.

Several monks from the same monastery have attempted self-immolation earlier.

The Radio report identified the two monks as Lobsang Dawa and Konchog Woeser.

It also said a 23-year-old Tibetan woman in Rangtang county in the same prefecture also died after setting herself to fire.

The Radio did not reveal the identity of the woman. Over 110 Tibetans have committed self-immolation since 2009, with most dying, in protests against perceived Chinese oppression.

Tibetan overseas groups say that they were part of non-violent protests against the Chinese rule and also support the return of Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama from exile in India.

China condemns the acts and blames them on the Dalai Lama, accusing him of promoting separatism.

There was a lull in self-immolation protests in recent months after China initiated a major crackdown against those initiating and instigating Tibetans to indulge in them.

Several people including monks were arrested and prosecuted.

Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/3-Tibetans-die-in-self-immolation-protests/articleshow/19728385.cms