Tibetan Information Office (TIO) is based in Canberra.

One More Tibetan Self-immolates in Ngaba, Local Area Under Undeclared Martial Law

Press Release

13 March 2012 The Central Tibetan Administration is deeply saddened by the death of another young Tibetan due to self-immolation in Ngaba in northeastern Tibet. The incident occurred on 10 March, the day which marked the 53rd anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising against the repression of the invading forces of People’s Republic of China’s government. We offer our prayers and condolences to his family members. Gepey, an 18-year-old monk of Kirti Monastery, set himself on fire and shouted slogans against the Chinese government in Ngaba. He succumbed to his injuries on the spot. His body was then immediately taken away to a nearby military garrison. Next day, the local residents demanded that his body be returned to his family, which led to a long verbal confrontation. At around 10 PM, the body was finally cremated secretly under strict surveillance of the Chinese army.  The police detained the deceased monk’s mother for interrogation on 11-12 March. Ngaba is now under undeclared martial law, as reinforcement of paramilitary forces and armed police have been deployed in the region. With this latest incident of self-immolation, 27 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for  freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland. 14 of these incidents occurred in this year alone.  These unending incidents of tragic self-immolation testify to the dire situation in Tibet which is driving Tibetans to take these unfortunate actions. “His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration have always discouraged such drastic actions. However, despite our pleas, Tibetans continue to self-immolate. Fault lies squarely with the hardline leaders in Beijing, so does the solution,” said Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay on 10 March. The Central Tibetan Administration reiterates that the Chinese leadership must address the underlying grievances of the Tibetan people through dialogue and remove its military occupation of Tibet, particularly in the Ngaba region.

Media contacts:

Tashi, Secretary for Information

+91 9816843798

Lobsang Choedak, Press Officer

+91 98822 32476