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A 29-YEAR-OLD Tibetan monk set himself on fire earlier today in an ethnically-Tibetan region of western China to protest the exile of Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama.
The London-based group Free Tibet said in a statement today that the monk, Tswang Norbu, died after he “drank petrol, sprayed himself with petrol and then set himself on fire”. It is understood that he died at the scene.
China’s official news agency Xinhua also reported the monk’s death today, but did not give further details on the incident.
Free Tibet said he called for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. The group says that Chinese authorities shut down local internet cafés and interfered with phone lines in an effort to stifle news of the incident.
It also claims that monks’ water and electricity supplies were cut after thousands of Tibetans defied a ban and celebrated the Dalai Lama’s birthday last month.
Chinese authorities deployed troops to Ngaba in Tibet six months ago after a 21-year-old monk set himself on fire in protest over Chinese rule in Tibet and died from his injuries. A number of monks were reportedly detained by authorities following the incident.
Earlier this month, Harvard-educated Lobsang Sangay was sworn in as the new head of the exiled Tibetan government. He is the first to take control from the Dalai Lama, who announced in March that he would give up his political role. Tibet’s government-in-exile resides in Dharamsala, India.
- Additional reporting by the AP
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They’re also going to need a replacement-replacement bus service contract, in case the replacement bus service goes on strike or has operational issues.
And then of course they’ll need a replacement-replacement-replacement bus service…….
Did Mr Bean take over irish rail a couple of weeks ago?
Would this mean more public transport?
Would they have more facilities for wheelchair assesibileties
@Louise Ní Riain: Not so long ago they were broke and crying out for cash . So what has changed?
@Louise Ní Riain: No, at the moment when there is work on the train line, Dublin Bus drive from staition to station to make sure nobody is stuck. Instead they’re going to get a private service to do it.
I’d be very happy if they also improved the already dismal inter City bus service. I traveled to Sligo recently, from Galway. Took almost 3 hours to get there. If the bus was put through the NCT, it would not have been deemed save. A total upgrade has to happen.
Be great if they’d put new track in or have a commuter plan or do anything with some foresight.
have your say