Three teenage monks burn themselves alive in Ngaba

Three Tibetan monks in their mid-teens have burned themselves alive at around 3 pm yesterday in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County of Ngaba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

Sources told TCHRD that the monks belonged to Ngoshul Monastery, located in Ngoshul nomadic village in Gomang Township, Ngaba County. Dorjee, 15, and Samdup, 16, and Dorjee Kyap, 16, set themselves on fire in front of a Public Security Bureau office calling for ‘return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet’ and ‘freedom for Tibet’ in Gomang Township in upper part of Ngaba County. Moments later, the PSB officers arrived on the scene and took the monks away.

Quoting eyewitnesses, sources said Dorjee died on the scene, but Samdup and Dorjee Kyap are believed to be admitted to Ngaba County hospital. A number of People’s Armed Police have now been rushed to Ngaba County, putting heavy restrictions on the movement of local Tibetans. Restrictions have been increased in Gomang township, in particular, Ngoshul Monastery has come under intense surveillance. At the moment, TCHRD is unable to obtain more information on the security situation in the area.

Dorjee, son of Tsering and Ghangkar, of Chukhatsang family, hailed from Thangwa nomadic camp in Ngoshul village. Also from Ngoshul Thangwa nomadic village, Samdup of Thanglatsang family is son of Soedar and Passang. Dorjee Kyap hails from Meu Kyong nomadic camp in Ngoshul village.

Ngoshul Monastery has around 130 monks and is situated over 12 miles north of Ngaba County.