China police detain two Tibetans for inciting self-immolations

SHANGHAI (REUTERS) - Police have detained a Tibetan monk and his nephew in south-western China for inciting eight people to set themselves on fire in anti-Chinese protests, the official Xinhua news agency said on Sunday.

Ninety-two Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest against Chinese rule since 2009, with at least 75 dying from their injuries. The number of these cases have increased significantly this year, with 28 alone in November.

Police in Sichuan province have detained Lorang Konchok, a 40-year-old monk in Aba county, and his 31-year-old nephew for inciting eight people to set themselves on fire since 2009, encouraging them by saying they would be "heroes", Xinhua said.

Three of the eight died, it said.