By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, July 31: A Tibetan monk who survived self immolation and consequently imprisoned have reportedly been released by Chinese authorities in Ngaba. Over the course of the last fourteen months, three monks, all belonging to the Kirti Monastary in the restive Ngaba region, have been released with the latest being Lobsang Kelsang who was released on July 29, 2017, two days ago.
Lobsang Kalsang earlier thought to have succumbed to burn injuries after his self immolations has been released on Saturday from the Deyang prison in Ngaba, Sichaun Province, according to report by Voice of Tibet. Lobsang Kalsang and Lobsang Kunchok, both teens, self immolated together on Sept. 26, 2011 in Ngaba protesting against Chinese rule and shouting for the return of the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Lobsang Kalsang’s current condition is not known. Fellow self immolator Lobsang Kunchok was released back in March with his right leg amputated and in poor health. Another monk named Lobsang Gyatso who self immolated in 2012 was released in May last year from Deyang Prison in Ngaba. His health and condition is also unknown due to the intense clampdown on communication channels.
Informants risk life and prosecution while sending information to exile sources. Tibetans rights group and activists say many incidents and cases of self immolations may have gone unreported due to such strict measures by Chinese authorities over the years.
