By Tendar Tsering
DHARAMSHALA, November 18: Citing an un-named source, a US based news agency on Tuesday released a minute long video clip of Tsewang Norbu’s self-immolation protest in Kham Kardze, eastern Tibet.
Tsewang Norbu, a 29-year old Tibetan monk from Nyitso monastery in Kardze passed away on the spot after setting himself ablaze protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile on August 15.
In November, Palden Choetso, a 35-year old Tibetan nun from the Ganden Jangchup Choeling nunnery in the same region, passed away immediately after setting her body on fire demanding the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.
It has been reported that following the self-immolations, monasteries and nunneries in the region have faced heightened security clampdown and restrictions from the Chinese authorities.
The one-minute video, released by Radio Free Asia was apparently shot by a bystander.
The clip shows in graphic detail Tsewang Norbu’s charred body – still burning in the upper torso area.
Helpless crowd could be heard at the background reciting Buddhist mantras and trying to put off the fire.
Since March this year 11 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet resulting in the death of six.
Following the recent spate of self-immolations inside Tibet, more than 500 Tibetans under the aegis of Delhi Tibetan People’s Solidarity Movement carried out a mass demonstration on Wednesday at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi, where the Chinese Embassy in Delhi is located.
In a statement, the group has pledged to carry out similar protests every Wednesday, urging the People’s Republic of China to respect the fundamental right of the Tibetans and to review its existing
policies on the Tibetans.
Here is a link to Tsewang Norbu’s self immolation clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5o2RFqA_l4. Viewer discretion is recommended.
