[Updated]Tibetan monk dies of self-immolation, calls for unity among Tibetans in last note
[Warning: Graphic images in this post]
A Tibetan monk died of self-immolation protest today calling for unity among Tibetans and the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Amchok (Ch: Amuqu) town in Sangchu (Ch: Xiahe) County, Malho (Ch: Gannan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province.
According to information received by TCHRD, Tsultrim Gyatso, about 43, set his body on fire at around 2.45 pm local time today and died soon after. He was a monk at Amchok Monastery. He died instantly and soon local Tibetans and monks took his charred body to his monastery.
Sources told TCHRD that over 400 monks have gathered at to recite prayers and conduct rituals at the deceased’s residence at the monastery.
New information received by TCHRD on 20 December 2013 reveals that local authorities acting on strict orders from the County government office forcibly cremated the body of Tsultrim Gyatso at a cremation ground in Labrang. A source told TCHRD that less than four hours after the burning protest, at around 7.50 pm, the deceased was taken in an ambulance and then cremated. Monks at Amchok Monastery were told to carry out a swift cremation or else face punitive action.
Tsultrim Gyatso was born in Nyima Lung Village in Amchok Township. He is survived by his mother Lhamo Kyi, brother Tsebhe, and sisters Chodpa and Sangay Dolma.
In his last note, Tsultrim Gyatso wrote that the reasons for his self-immolation protest are to call for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet, release the 11th Panchen Lama Gedun Choekyi Nyima, and for the welfare of the six million Tibetans.
The note written in semi-verse form also alluded to China’s harmful resource extraction such as mining and its draconian laws.
TCHRD has translated the last note left behind by Tsultrim Gyatso (the unclear parts have not been translated):
Alas
The tears
The heart aches
Dear brother
Can you hear me?
Can you see it?
Can you hear it?
Whom should we appeal to [relieve] the suffering of six million Tibetans?
The tyrannical laws of the Chinese
They are taking away our treasure house of gold and silver
The public is being subjected to oppression
Thinking about these, tears flow out of my eyes
I am compelled to burn my precious human body
For the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
For the release of the imprisoned Panchen Lama
For the welfare of the six million Tibetans
I offer my body to the fire
I pray that my sacrifice serves all the sentient beings in their path to liberation
