24-year-old Tibetan Immolates, Simultaneous Hunger Strike Underway Across Tibet

CTA: Reports coming out of Tibet say a Tibetan nomad died after setting fire to himself in north-eastern Tibet on Tuesday, taking the total self-immolations to 86, including 23 in this month alone.

Kalsang Kyab, 24, poured petrol on himself and walked towards Kyangtsa town office, shouting slogans calling for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kirti Rinpoche. He set fire to himself when he reached the entrance of the town office. He continued raising slogans before he died.

Local Tibetans carried his body to his home, where monks of Drenpa and Gyalgey monasteries are offering prayers.

Local Tibetans describe Kalsang Kyab as a gentle person, who spent his time herding cattle since childhood.

With tragic self-immolations by Tibetans remain unabated, over 60 Tibetans living in different parts of Tibet are on hunger strike to show solidarity with all their brethren who self-immolated for the cause of Tibet, and those who are facing unbearable suffering under Chinese repression.

The hunger strike began on Monday evening from Tibet’s capital Lhasa to Drakgo, Jomda, Dzachukha, Tridu, Serthar, Siling, Karze and Chengdu in China’s Sichuan Province. Those taking part in the hunger strike comprised people from all walks of life, including teachers, government officials, writers, monks and businessmen.