Tibetans-in-exile express solidarity with self-immolated martyrs

Tibetans-in-exile express solidarity with self-immolated martyrs Dharamsala, Jan 24 : Tibetans-in-exile living in Dharamsala prayed for their compatriots, who immolated themselves to protest against the repressive Chinese rule in Tibet.

Tibetan PM-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, locals and tourists offered prayers on Wednesday in remembrance of a young Tibetan Kunchok Kyab, who self immolated inside Tibet. The 26-year-old Tibetan burnt himself in eastern Tibet's Amdo region and died on the spot.

Expressing grief over the surge in self-immolations, spokesperson of Tibetan government in-exile, Tashi urged China to address their woes.

"Yesterday, a young man of 26 years self-immolated himself. Now, this is I think the 99 incident of self-immolation. So now, we are quite desperate, such drastic incidents are taking place on a frequent basis inside Tibet.

"So, we urge Tibetans not to resort to such extreme actions. At the same time, we want Chinese authorities to address grievances of Tibetans. So, it is very unfortunate. Today, we are offering prayers for the departed souls," said Tashi.

Scores of Tibetan youth have reportedly committed self-immolation against what they term as rising atrocities by the Chinese administration.

The surge in self-immolations in Tibet has heightened in recent months.

Indian-based rights groups said there had been a massive security clampdown in Tibet and Tibetan areas of China.

On his part, the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, in India since 1959, has pressed China to investigate the dozens of self-immolations by Tibetans. (ANI)