February 13, 2014
A Tibetan man set himself on fire Thursday evening near the Kirti Monastery in China’s Sichuan province.
Sources tell VOA’s Tibetan service the action was an apparent protest against Chinese rule.
This is the second self-immolation this year. Since 2009, more than 120 Tibetans demanding the return of Tibetan leader The Dalai Lama and Tibetan freedom have self-immolated.
Palden, a Tibetan exile who has close contacts in the area, says there are not many details known about Thursday’s self-immolation, including the man’s name or if he is dead or alive.
Tibetan sources also say that a number of Chinese security personnel have arrived in the area and local communications lines have reportedly been restricted.
The Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala has urged Tibetans not to take such drastic action, and the U.S. government has called on China to resolve the Tibetan issue with a resumption of dialogue with the representatives of the Dalai Lama.
Chinese officials have not commented on Thursday’s self-immolation.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Tibetan service.
