As another self-immolation occurs, NGO blames Beijing's violence for suicides
Dharamasala (AsiaNews) - As Tibet mourns the latest victim of self-immolation, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) slams the Chinese communist government for its iron-fist policies against the people of the region and its short-sightedness in choosing this approach.
Tamdin Dorjee 29, the main breadwinner of a family of six, torched himself in front of the local government office of Dokarmo subdivision in Rebgong County.
"He managed to walk about 10 steps and then fell on the ground. He stood up and attempted to walk but soon collapsed and died," an exile source told Radio Frere Asia. Before that he tried to put "his hands together in prayer, shouting long life to the Dalai Lama".
Defying official warnings, more than 1,000 people gathered at the site of his self-immolation, according to exile sources, praying for Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama's long life and chanting mantras.
Then, the monks of the local monasteries and residents cremated Tamdrin Dorjee at a cemetery located close to the Mindrol Dargyalling monastery.
Few days before his self-immolation, Tamdin Dorjee had called on his family to talk to them about Tibet's pain.
Tamdin's death on Saturday is the third in as many days, bringing the total to 81, 17 in November alone.
On several occasions, the Dalai Lama has called on Tibetans to respect their life above everything else.
According to Beijing, the Buddhist leader is responsible for these actions.
"The Tibetans who are self-immolating-now in more rapid succession-have clearly not been dissuaded by the security build-up or other means of official intimidation," said ITC President Mary Beth Markey. "Nonetheless, the authorities seem to be betting that further oppression will cower or exhaust the will of future self-immolators," she added.
However, " unless and until there is some initiative that can break through the cycle of repression and protest, I think we all acknowledge that more Tibetans will be prepared to take the agonizing action of self-immolation."
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