Tibetan farmer dies of self-immolation protest in Rebkong

A Tibetan farmer has set himself on fire in protest against the Chinese government in Rebkong (Chinese: Tongren) County in the Malho (Chinese: Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Sonam Dhargye, aged 43, burnt himself to death at an intersection near the vegetable market in Rongpo town.  The incident occurred today at around 9 am (Tibet Time).

Following the self-immolation, local Tibetans – both monastic and lay – gathered in large numbers at Dolma Ground, the compound used for holding prayers at the monastery, and held mass prayers. Students and other Tibetans from neighboring villages are believed to have joined the prayer ceremony.

Sonam Dhargye was born in Sharlang village in Nyen-tu-hu Township where he was a farmer. He has two sons and a daughter.

TCHRD is still trying to obtain more details on this latest incident of self-immolation protest, the second such incident in three days in Rebkong.

On 14 March 2012, Jamyang Palden, a 34-yr-old monk, lighted himself in protest at the Rongpo Gonchen Monastery’s Dolma Ground.