Tibetan man sets himself on fire to protest Chinese rule
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Buy SPH photosBEIJING (AP) - An overseas human rights group has reported that the grandfather of a revered Tibetan Buddhist figure has died after setting himself on fire to protest Chinese rule. It is the latest of dozens of self-immolations by Tibetans since 2009.
The London-based Free Tibet disclosed that 52-year-old Tamdrin Dorjee died at the scene on Saturday near Tso Monastery in north-western China's Gansu province.
It said the man was the grandfather of the 7th Gungthang Rinpoche, believed by Tibetan Buddhists to be the reincarnation of an important religious figure.
Mr Dorjee's body was taken to his home village. Photos said to be from the scene showed dozens of villagers and monks gathered around a body in smoke.
