By Tenzin Menkyi
DHARAMSHALA, June 10: Tibetans and supporters gathered here this evening for a candle light vigil to express solidarity with the latest Tibetan self-immolator Sonam Topgyal, 26, from Kham Nangchen. Topgyal’s condition and whereabouts still remain unknown.
A procession in his honor passed from Mcleod Ganj main square, passing through the McLeod’s Twin streets, to gather at the TCV Day school. Several people on visit to the hill-town tourist attraction as tourists or backpackers also joined the vigil.
The candle light procession was jointly organized by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and Students for a Free Tibet, India.
Son of Nangchen Tashi, Topgyal is the 142nd Tibetan to self immolate in protest against China’s repressive policies and for the return of the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama since Tapey, a monk of Kirti monastery, set his body on fire outside his monastery in 2009.
Rinzin Choedon, Grassroots Director with the SFT India, said, “The latest self-immolation by Sonam confirms that the situation inside Tibet is getting worse day by day. It’s high time that the world leaders held China accountable for all the atrocities and human rights violations happening inside Tibet”.
Sonam Topgyal’s charred body was reportedly taken to the hospital though it could not be verified. Kyegudo, a major town in Eastern Tibet, has been under strict surveillance of the Chinese police.
Within minutes of his fiery protest by the monk near Gesar Square on Thursday, the Chinese special police arrived at the site and blocked the streets. It is not known where the monk was taken or if he is alive.
