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Monk commits suicide to avoid arrest

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Tashi Sangpo of Amdo Golog Ragya monastery in an undated file photo. He jumped into Machu river to avoid arrest by Chinese police, who claimed for having found a banned Tibetan flag and other documents from his room. File photo/Photographer unknown/China

A Tibetan monk from Amdo Golog Ragya monastery committed suicide by jumping into a river yesterday to avoid Chinese police arrest according to the website of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

The monk identified as 25-year-old Tashi Sangpo jumped into Machu river near his monastery in Gyulgho township (Ch: Lajong), Machen county, Qinghai province, after police advance to arrest him. Police have reportedly found a banned Tibetan flag and other ‘suspicious documents’ from his room.

Following Sangpo’s suicide, around 4,000 Tibetans protested and clashed with Chinese police over his death. The protesters carried Tibetan flags and banners, and shouted: “Independence for Tibet” and “Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Sangpo was reportedly among those monks who removed a Chinese flag atop the main prayer hall of the monastery on 10 March, and instead hoisted a Tibetan flag. The monastery was completely locked down after this incident, and the security has been increased in the area.

The situation in the area is reported to be very tense.

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