Nun Tenzin Wangmo's self immolation marked with candle light vigil

Tibetans and supporters gather around the Martyr Pillar to pay homage to Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet. The candle light vigil was organised by the regional chapter of TYC in Dharamshala, north India on October 18, 2011.

DHARAMSHALA, October 19: Hundreds of Tibetans and supporters under the aegis of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) and Regional Tibetan Women's Association (RTWA)Dharamshala held a candle light vigil yesterday evening here in the Tibetan exile headquarters.

The marchers walked down from Mcleod Ganj chowk to the Martyr Pillar near Tsug-la Khang with candles in their hands, saying prayers for nun Tenzin Wangmo who died after setting herself ablaze in Ngaba eastern Tibet on October 17.

Tenzin Tsundue, the president of the regional chapter of Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest pro-independence group in exile, urged Tibetans "not to let the fiery resistance in Tibet die down in waste”.

Since March this year, nine Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet, protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Tsundue asked the gathering to spread the news of sacrifices by Tibetans inside Tibet and called upon Tibetans and supporters to participate in the upcoming global protests to show support and solidarity with the plight of the people inside Tibet.

"I urge non-Tibetans also to participate in our protests which are totally based on nonviolence," Tsundue said.

"Participate in our protests, not just because you support us, but because you believe in non-violence."

Sonam Dorje, the Dharamshala Settlement Officer reminded the gathering that Dharamshala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration should be the nerve centre of all free Tibet activities.

"When Tibetans inside Tibet plan to stage a demonstration, they have already decided to give up their lives, because they know the consequences," said Sonam Dorje.

Encouraging Tibetans to take part in the various upcoming activities in India and abroad, the Settlement Officer said, “if people in Tibet can sacrifice their lives, why can't we sacrifice our time, money and energy."

Following the self immolation of Tenzin Wangmo, the ninth Tibetan since March, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner on Tuesday said that the State Department is "seriously concerned" about the ongoing crisis in Tibet.

"We would urge China and its leaders to respect the rights of Tibetans, to address some of the policies in these areas, in Tibetan areas, that have created tension, and to protect the Tibetans' unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity," Toner said.