Thousands attend Tibetan self-immolator Dorjee Lhundup’s funeral

Thousands of Tibetans attend Tibetan self-immolator Dorjee Lhundup's funeral in Rongwo region of Rebkong, eastern Tibet on November.

 DHARAMSHALA, November 4: In details emerging out of Tibet, the Tibetan man who passed away in his self-immolation protest earlier today has been identified as Dorjee Lhundup.

Hours after his fiery protest, he was given a grand funeral, attended by thousands of Tibetans.

Dorjee Lhundup, 25, was the father of a four-year-old son and two-year-old daughter. He set himself ablaze at around10:30 am (local time) at one of the busiest crossroads in Rongwo town, Rebkong in eastern Tibet.

According to eyewitnesses, Dorjee Lhundup called for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile, while engulfed in flames.

He passed away at the site of his protest.

Upon hearing the news of the self-immolation, local Tibetans gathered at the protest site and carried the deceased’s body to the Rongwo Monastery.

The crowd swelled into thousands by afternoon, when Dorjee Lhundup was laid to rest at Dhongya-lay cremation site behind the Monastery.

Latest reports indicate that Chinese security forces have swamped the streets in Rongwo, placing restrictions on the movement of Tibetans. Interruptions in internet and mobile communications have also been reported in order to prevent the spread of information on the self-immolation.

In the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala, the regional chapters of the Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association organised a candle light vigil in the evening today in honour of Dorjee Lhundup.

Tibetans and supporters marched to the Martyr’s Pillar near the Tsug-la Khang, the main temple and said prayers for Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet.

Yesterday, the exile Tibetan administration made an open appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Council to convene a Special Session on Tibet in light of the deteriorating human rights situation inside Tibet.

The Central Tibetan Administration appealed to the 47-member states of the UNHRC to convene a special session on Tibet in view of the “desperate and unprecedented spate of self-immolations by Tibetans due to China’s repressive policies and the continued intransigence of the Chinese leadership to the relentless efforts of UNHRC.”

63 known Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in Tibet, protesting China’s continued occupation and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile. Last month alone witnessed ten self-immolation protests.