Tibetan exile sets self on fire outside Chinese Embassy in Delhi

By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, November 4: A 25 year old Tibetan refugee living in India, set himself on fire, in front of the Chinese Embassy in the Indian capital New Delhi today. 

Indian policemen on security at the Chinese Embassy tried to extinguish the fire on Sherab Tsedor, a Tibetan activist living in New Delhi, witnesses said. Sherab is currently admitted in a nearby hospital. 

Prior to the act, Sherab Tsedor, in a press release had urged the Indian government to lead the world community in putting pressure on China to solve the issue of Tibet peacefully.

"We are dying and it's the moral responsibility of every freedom loving people to support us," said Tsedor in the release.

"I beg and plead the world leaders and peace loving people to help solve the issue of Tibet," added the young Tibetan.

Youdon Aukatsang, a member of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, who is at the hospital told Phayul that Tsedor is out of danger, though doctors are examining his injuries sustained to due burns.

"His thigh got burnt badly and doctors have confirmed around 15 percent to 16 percent burn injuries on Sherab's body," said Aukatsang.

This incident of self-immolation by a Tibetan in exile comes after eleven Tibetans in Tibet, since March this year, have set themselves ablaze in protest against China's continued occupation of Tibet and have demanded the return of the Dalai Lama from exile. Six Tibetans, including Palden Choetso, a 35 year old nun, who set herself ablaze yesterday in Kham Tawu, eastern Tibet, have succumbed to burn injuries after fiery acts of self-immolation.

Currently on a visit to Japan, the Tibetan leader Dalai Lama while responding to questions from the media said that the self-immolations were a sign of "deep desperation" while calling for a review of China's policies in Tibet.