Tibetan man dies in self-immolation protest in China’s Sichuan province, group says
Tsekho Tugchak, reportedly in his 40s, set fire to himself in Ngaba county on Wednesday, International Campaign for Tibet says
A man set himself on fire and died in southwestern China’s Sichuan province in the first self-immolation protest among Tibetans this year, monitoring groups reported on Thursday.
Tsekho Tugchak, reportedly in his 40s, died in Ngaba county on Wednesday amid intensified security in the restive region ahead of the anniversary of the 2008 riots in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, and the 1959 independence uprising, the International Campaign for Tibet said.
ICT said his death was the 153rd self-immolation by a Tibetan since the protests began in 2009. The Free Tibet Campaign and US-backed Radio Free Asia also reported the death, saying it took place in Ngaba’s Meruma township.
In Beijing, Tibet’s Communist Party chief – the region’s most powerful official – dismissed the reports.
“I don’t think they’re telling the truth,” Wu Yingjie told reporters at a meeting on the sidelines of the annual session of China’s ceremonial parliament.