Monk self-immolates in protest
February 13, 2013
A Tibetan monk, believed to be in his early 20's, doused himself in gasoline Wednesday and set himself on fire in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.
Eyewitness say the man ran a few steps once ignited and shouted slogans against China, before collapsing.
Police official Keshav Adhikari said police and locals were able to extinguish the flames and rush the man to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
The Tibetan government, which is not recognized by any foreign state, has been based in Dharamshala, India since Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959.
The Dalai Lama's office in New Delhi confirmed Wednesday that the 100th immolation attempt involved a monk. The Dalai Lama has appealed to Tibetans not to resort to drastic protests
Monks, nuns and lay people have set themselves on fire, mostly in ethnic Tibetan areas of China, to protest against religious persecution in Chinese-ruled Tibet. The first case occurred in 2009 in the Kirti monastery in China's Sichuan province. The next self-immolation was then reported in 2011, when the practice spread across the Tibetan plateau.
Nepal is home to around 20,000 Tibetans and has banned protests against China, saying it cannot allow any activities against friendly nations.
Wednesday marks one of the most important days of the Losar festival, which is celebrated by the Tibetan community.
hc/ccp (AFP, AP)