DHARAMSHALA, February 21: A mass prayer service was held today in the exile Tibetan headquarters of Dharamshala to honour Phagmo Samdup and Lobsang Dorjee, who have set themselves ablaze this month to protest against China’s continuing occupation of Tibet.
Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters attended the official prayer service held at Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Mcleod Ganj.
Phagmo Samdup, 27-year-old Ngagpa or a tantric practitioner set himself on fire in Tibet’s Tsekhok County on 5 February. He succumbed to his burns a day later.
He was the first Tibetan to self on fire in 2014.
Lobsang Dorjee, former monk of Kirti Monastery doused himself in gasoline near the monastery around on 13 February 13. He later died from burns.
Addressing at the prayer service, Dolma Gyari, Minister of Home Department appealed to all Tibetans to pray for the self-immolators, including Phagmo Samdup and Lobsang Dorjee.
Dolma also welcomed Sarah Sewall’s appointment as the new Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues and placed hope that Sewall’s office will bring positive change in grave situation in Tibet today.
The Justice Commissioners, Tibetan cabinet ministers, members of exile Tibetan parliament and officials of Tibetan government in exile attended the prayer presided over by Thomtok Rinpoche, the abbot of Namgyal Monastery.
