Report says 3 more people set themselves on fire in China to protest its Tibet policies

By Associated Press, Updated: Sunday, February 5, 10:51 AM

BEIJING — A report says three more people have set themselves on fire to protest China’s policies toward Tibetans in a remote area in southwest China.

U.S.-funded broadcaster Radio Free Asia said Sunday the three set themselves on fire Friday in Seda county in Sichuan province. It says one person died and the others are in serious condition. A woman who answered the phone at the county government office Sunday denies the incidents happened.

If confirmed it would bring at least 19 the number of monks, nuns and former clergy who have set themselves on fire in the last year after chanting for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama.

China says such incidents and violence are the result of outside forces wanting to separate Tibet from China.

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