His Slogans: Long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Name: Lobsang Namgyal
Age: 37
Sex: Male
Profession: Monk of Kirti Monastery
Date of Self-immolation: 3 February 2013 6 am (local time)
Location: Outside the County Public Security Bureau headquarters in Ngaba, Amdo
Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased
According to the exile-based Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, India Lobsang Namgyal set himself ablaze near the local police building in Dzoge at around 6 am. Engulfed in flames, Lobsang shouted slogans for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he ran towards the PSB headquarters. He passed away at the scene of his protest. Chinese security personnel removed his body from the protest site and carried out his cremation without informing his family members, only handing back his ashes. Lobsang Namgyal’s identity was confirmed after Chinese police found his ID card and a letter inside a bag near the protest site. The contents of the letter are unknown. In September 2012, Lobsang Namgyal had gone missing for two weeks. A search by his family and friends later revealed that Chinese security personnel had detained him for no reasons. Upon release, due to constant harassment by local officials, he was compelled to live with his relatives. Before carrying out his self-immolation protest, Lobsang Namgyal reportedly visited Kirti Monastery to offer prayers. Following his self-immolation, Lobsang’s relatives have also been subjected to scrutiny and surveillance. His younger brother, monk Lobsang Sangay, was also detained for a few days following the protest. Lobsang Namgyal is survived by his father, Karkho, and mother, Kar Kyi, and eight brothers and sisters. Lobsang Namgyal was known as an exceptional student at Kirti Monastery who had been tipped to study for the highest qualification in Tibetan Buddhism, a Geshe (doctorate) degree. “He was regarded as a model for a new generation of students at Kirti,” added monastery sources.