Teenage Tibetan monk self-immolates on protest anniversary

On 10 March 2012, which is also the 53^rd Tibetan National Uprising Day, a teenage Tibetan monk from Kirti Monastery set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government at around 5 pm (Tibet Time) in Ngaba (Chinese: Aba) County, Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

Gyepe, an 18-yr-old monk, self-immolated behind a Chinese military camp and died on the spot. The military camp was the first one established by the Chinese army when they invaded Tibet. A group of army personnel took possession of Gyepe’s body. Sources say locals Tibetans requested the army personnel to hand-over the body to the deceased’s family.

A day after Gyepe’s death, the Chinese army allowed five relatives of the deceased to take part in the cremation. Gyepe was cremated at around 10 pm (Tibet Time) on March 11.

Gyepe was born to father Chakdor and mother Chaklo from Soru Division, Choejema Township, Ngaba County. His father died a few years ago. Gyepe became a monk at a young age. He has two brothers who are also monks.