Tibetan nun who set herself alight in protest against Chinese policies in Kirti region 'dies'

Beijing, Oct 26 (ANI): A 20-year-old Tibetan nun who set herself on fire in protest against China's religious policies has reportedly died.

This is the latest case of self-immolation there after seven young Tibetan monks did the same earlier this year, Sky News reports.

Five are believed to have died and the whereabouts of others are unknown.

Twenty-year-old Tenzin Wangmo, a member of the Mamae Dechen Choekhorling nunnery, chanted slogans before setting herself on fire with petrol last week.

Lobsang Choedak, who is based at one of the Kirti monastery's sister establishments in Dharamsala, had earlier said the area is in a very bad situation.

"In this area, there is a very bad situation. This is the only way they feel they can send a message. I am scared [what will happen] if the government does not stop what it is doing. I'm really scared about how many people will die," he added.

Observers believe these protests are the outcome of harsh Chinese measures.

Reports suggest that the authorities have made it largely impossible for monks to lead normal lives, practicing their religious rituals. Thousands of monks have been sent back to their villages and, while others have been forced to undergo the so-called "patriotic re-education" classes.

Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama has called on both sides to exercise restraint.

Beijing has described of suicides and attempted suicides as "violence on terrorism in disguise". (ANI)