Another Tibetan sets himself on fire in China

[ellisonz]

By ALEXA OLESEN | Associated Press – 20 mins ago

BEIJING (AP) — Another Tibetan has set himself on fire in western China to protest government policies while thousands marched in another part of China to show support for their exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, a report said.

U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia said a man, apparently a monk, set himself on fire in Sichuan province's Aba prefecture on Wednesday and was taken away by soldiers and police. His condition was not immediately clear. It said the man shouted slogans before setting himself ablaze, citing a statement from Losang Yeshe and Kanyag Tsering, exiled Tibetan monks in India.

If confirmed, the incident would bring to at least 20 the number of monks, nuns and lay Tibetans who have set themselves on fire over the last year, mostly in traditionally Tibetan areas of Sichuan province. Most have chanted for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama, who fled to India amid an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

---------

Radio Free Asia also said Tibetan protests erupted Wednesday in two counties in Qinghai province in northwest China, with about 1,000 people marching in each. Citing local sources and exiles with contacts in the region, it said security surrounded protesters but no violence occurred.

More: http://news.yahoo.com/another-tibetan-sets-himself-fire-china-082407584.html

[ellisonz]

1. China fires Tibet officials over unrest: report

AFP – 1 hr 4 mins ago

Tibet's top leader has fired three officials for failing to crack down on unrest in the region, state press said Thursday, a day after another Tibetan set himself alight to protest China's rule.

Chen Quanguo, Communist Party head of Tibet, announced the sackings in a Wednesday meeting at which he also called for increased pressure on Tibetan separatists led by what he called the "Dalai clique", the Tibet Daily reported.

Beijing has blamed the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, for unrest in Tibet and nearby areas in recent months in protest against what many ethnic Tibetans see as religious and cultural repression by Beijing.

The official Tibet Daily said the three officials were fired for leaving their posts during last month's Lunar New Year celebrations, in violation of orders.

More: http://news.yahoo.com/china-fires-tibet-officials-over-unrest-report-074352146.html