There is fear and desperation in the hearts and minds of Buddhists and their friends worldwide this evening as news leaks out of Tibet that the situation in Ngaba has deteriorated. Phayul.com has reported "Ngaba falls into deeper turmoil; Another self-immolation and shootouts reported." Reports from Tibet say that after a self-immolation by a Tibetan layman earlier today in Ngaba, eastern Tibet, a mass demonstration was set off resulting in the death of one woman due to bullet wounds. This self-immolation was the 16th since March of last year, and occurred at around 1.30 pm Tibet time in the distraught Ngaba region. There are not many details available on the Tibetan man who set himself on fire but he is believed to be dead.
Reports say Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene of the self-immolation and severely beat the Tibetan layman while putting out the flame. It is believed the man was dead as the Chinese security personnel began taking him away. Local Tibetans who were said to be angered with the Chinese authorities, reportedly gathered at the site and demanded the body to be handed over to them. A mass impromptu protest than is said to have occurred with Chinese security personnel firing on the crowd and using tear gas. Apparently one elderly Tibetan woman has been confirmed dead as result of the shooting. Other sources have indicated that the number of dead could be much more.
In a press release, Free Tibet has quoted an eyewitness as describing the situation as “terrifying” and that people were being “beaten” while “numerous people have been detained”.
The Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamshala, India in a news release today has condemned the “use of violence against civilians” and has appealed the international community to “intervene so as to restrain the Chinese government from further use of violence”. This is a sad time for Tibetans who desperately need international support now.
