No one knew what had become of the young Tibetan monk. Almost dead, he was dragged away by police. The Chinese authorities have cremated the body and given to the ashes his family, thus preventing the last religious rituals. Norbu was just 19.

Dharamsala (AsiaNews) - Norbu Damdul, the Tibetan Monk from Kirti who had set himself on fire October 15, 2011 is dead. The death occurred on January 5 in a hospital in Barkham, Ngaba, Tibetan Autonomous Region. Norbu was only 19 years old. Setting himself on fire he had shouted "Freedom for Tibet" and "Let the Dalai Lama return."

Since his self-immolation 3 months ago, the young monk had disappeared in police custody, and nobody knew anything about his condition. At his death, the Chinese authorities refused to return the body of the young man to his family, to celebrate the last religious rituals. After they had cremated his remains, Beijing officials delivered his ashes to family members.

Since March 2011, there have been altogether 15 cases of self-immolation. In these early days of 2012, three monks have already tried to commit suicide by setting themselves on fire demanding freedom for Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama. Of these, two have died while the third was seriously injured. (NC)

• Tibet
• monk
• self
• immolation
• freedom
• dalai
• lama
• police