China boosts security after self-immolations in Sichuan

Ananth Krishnan

China has boosted security deployment and restricted communication in towns in the western Sichuan province after the tenth case of self-immolation protest by Tibetans in recent weeks.

A monk in the predominantly-Tibetan town of Garze in Sichuan set himself on fire outside a monastery on Tuesday, several overseas Tibetan groups reported.

Most of the nine other self-immolation attempts occurred in the nearby prefecture of Aba, home to the Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Kirti. Among them was a nun, Tenzin Wangmo. At least five of them have died because of their injuries, according to reports in the Chinese media.

Since the immolations, China has boosted deployment of military and paramilitary forces in Aba and nearby towns, according to several Tibetans from Sichuan who are now living in Beijing.

Speaking to The Hindu on condition of anonymity, they said restrictions had been placed on telephone communication and access to the Internet in Aba. Many residents in Aba, they said, had been unable to make telephone calls in recent weeks.

They said security had been boosted in Aba and nearby towns, with additional deployments of People's Armed Police Force (PAPF) battalions, increased street-level security checks, more regular patrolling and restrictions on people travelling in and out of the region.

Read more at The Hindu