Chinese police confiscate body of second Tibetan self-immolator

Chinese authorities have confiscated the body of a Tibetan father of two who died of self-immolation protest at Drachen Village of Khyungchu Township in Marthang/Kakhog (Ch: Hongyuan) County, Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Tibetana and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, in the Tibetan province of Amdo.

Drubchok, 28, set himself on fire at the basketball ground of his village and within minutes succumbed to his burn injuries. Drubchok self-immolated at around 3.15 pm on 18 January 2013, becoming the second Tibetan to die of burning protests in 2013, days after January’s  first self-immolation in Amchok County.

According to sources, Drubchok’s body has not been released to his family yet, raising concerns that the deceased’s family may find it difficult to hold necessary religious rites and rituals.  Drachen Village has been placed under severe military and police restrictions.

Drubchok was born in Tsoeruma nomadic camp no. 2 in Drachen Village. He lived with his wife, Rigpa, and two daughters, Kunchok Chodron, 5, and Nechog Khandro, 3, at his in-laws’ home. Drubchok’s wife is expecting her third child, according to sources.

Drubchok is also survived his father, Kyokpo, mother Yangtso, and four siblings.