Dharamshala: - A special prayer service was held at the main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshalka to mourn and express solidarity with the two Tibetans who have recently self-immolated protesting China's rule.
Thinley Namgyal, 32, died after setting himself on fire in Tawu county in an apparent protest against the Chinese government's continuing repressive policies in Tibet.
The latest incident follows the self-immolation last month of a 31-year-old Tibetan nun called Dolma who set herself alight while performing a prayer ritual at a monastery in Bathang County on 29 March.
This incidence brings the total number of known self-immolations in Tibet to 130 since February, 2009 and and of them 112 were reportedly passed-away due to their severe injuries.
The prayer service organised by the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration was presided over by Khen Rinpoche (Abbot) of Gyuto monastery. Local Tibetans including Tibetan officials attended the prayer service.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, in his address to the masses, expressed his administration's solidarity with the Tibetan self-immolators and those undergoing political incarceration in Chinese prisons.
Hundreds of people associated with the self-immolators have been detained. Some have been sentenced to long prison terms or death.
Due to four previous self-immolation protests that took place in the region over the recent years, the county and surrounding areas have suffered severe crackdowns and been under heightened restrictions and controls.
