DHARAMSHALA, July 9: A Tibetan monk set himself ablaze on Thursday in Tibet’s Kyegudo in Yulshul County, Tibet Times reported.
Within minutes of his fiery protest by the monk near Gesar Square, the Chinese special police arrived at the site and blocked the streets. It is not known where the monk has been taken or if he is alive after sustaining the burns.
The name and other details of the monk could not be ascertained immediately as the Chinese authorities stepped up security in the area and started monitoring communication lines including the Internet.
Images posted on social networking sites show the monk lying on his back in flames near what looks like a flagpole and bystanders watching.
The self-immolation is the 142nd since Tapey, a monk of Kirti monastery, set his body on fire outside his monastery in 2009.
Update: The monk has been identified as Sonam Topgyal, 26, from Kham Nangchen.
