DHARAMSHALA, March 8: A Tibetan woman has died after setting herself ablaze on Friday in Ngaba in protest against Chinese policies in Tibet.
Norchuk, a 47 year old Tibetan nomad from Trotsuk village in Ngaba, became the 137th Tibetan to take up self immolation as a form of protest against Chinese rule since 2009.
Affiliated to Dephu monastery, she recently vowed to turn vegetarian at a mass gathering of nomads from different villages to commit themselves to virtuous behavior.
It is not known if Norchuk raised any slogans during her protest. Local Chinese authorities immediately cremated the body.
The self immolation by Norchuk comes at a time when China steps up security measures to contain any expression of political dissent ahead of the 56th Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10.
Sources say Chinese security forces have camped in huge numbers in various counties and Tibetan inhabited areas.
The same source said that the intensification of security measures in Tibetan areas had begun even before the Tibetan New Year, and the celebration were marred by the fear of repression even during the Tibetan New Year.
