Nineteen year-old Norbu Damdrul, a former Kirti monk, set himself on fire in a protest on the main street in Ngaba. He was heard to shout “We need freedom and independence for Tibet,” and called for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet as his body was burning.

Norbu’s body was badly burned but he was still alive when police stationed on the street extinguished the flames and kicked Norbu before taking him away. A large crowd of Tibetans who had gathered at the scene was dispersed at gunpoint by security personnel.

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Self-immolations continue in Tibet; 8th young Tibetan man sets fire to himself in Ngaba (16 October 2011)