DHARAMSHALA, December 18: Tibetans and supporters yesterday marched through McLeod Ganj town with candles to pay their respects to the latest Tibetan who died after setting himself ablaze on Tuesday in Amchok town, Sangchu County.
Students for a Free Tibet and regional Tibetan Youth Congress led the candle light vigil for Sangay Khar, who became the 134th Tibetan to resort to self-immolation as a means of protest against China.
“China must immediately cease its repressive policies against the Tibetans who are driven to take such extreme measures of protest,” said Tenzin Sonam of SFT.
Sangay Khar set himself on fire right in front of the Police Station Tuesday around 9 AM (local time).
A Tibetan source said that Khar’s charred body was taken to Sangchu County by the Chinese police who refused to hand over the body to his family despite protests from the local Tibetans.
The situation in Amchok town remains tense as authorities cordoned off the area and put restrictions on local people’s movement and communication lines.
Tashi Dhargyal of RTYC said that the vigil also prays for the 145 school children and staff killed by militants in a Peshawar, Pakistan.
The Tibetan government in exile (known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration) will hold a prayer session for Sangay Khar at the Tsuglakhang main temple today. Staff of the CTA, representatives from various institutes, monks and nuns will join the prayer session.
