DHARAMSHALA, June 26: Tenzin Khedup, the young Tibetan who along with Ngawang Norphel self-immolated last week was cremated Saturday amidst an overwhelming security presence.
A day before the cremation, Chinese authorities intervened and ordered monks at the Zatoe monastery to perform Tenzin Khedup’s last rites in the wee hours of June 23, instead of the planned mid-day cremation.
According to local sources, the last minute move was taken in order to avoid the presence of local Tibetans.
The authorities further warned that if the instructions were not followed, Tenzin Khedup’s body would be forcibly taken away.
Sources in exile said that more than 800 Chinese security personnel were deployed in and around the Zilkar Monastery and Zatoe town to block local Tibetans from paying their last respects to Tenzin Khedup.
However, monks from the Zilkar Monastery went against the official decree and attended the cremation in their hundreds. The monks lighted thousands of butter lamps and recited prayers the entire night, sources said.
Photography and videotaping of Tenzin Khedup’s cremation was not allowed as Chinese forces kept a strict vigil of the entire process.
Tenzin Khedup, 24 and Ngawang Norphel, 22 set themselves ablaze on June 20 in Zatoe town of Tridu, Keygudo, eastern Tibet calling for Tibet’s independence and long-life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Both of them were carrying Tibetan national flags in their hands at the time of their self-immolation protest.
Tenzin Khedup passed away at the site of his fiery protest while Ngawang Norphel is currently at a Chinese military hospital in Siling.
Ngawang Norphel’s wife and two relatives have been detained by Chinese authorities since.
In a note left behind by the two young Tibetans before taking their drastic action, they urged all Tibetans to be united in the fight for Tibet’s freedom and the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama from exile.
“People like us are unable to contribute anything toward Tibetan religion and culture, or contribute economically to help Tibetans,” Ngawang Norphel and Tenzin Khedup wrote. They said their actions “show love to the Tibetan people and loyalty to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
Tenzin Khedup was from Tridu in Keygudo. His parents are Legdup and Kyizom.
In the 42 self-immolation protests since 2009, 32 Tibetans have passed away while six Tibetans have sustained serious injuries and are reported being in critical conditions. The well-being and whereabouts of four Tibetan self-immolators still remain unknown.
The Central Tibetan Administration has been reiterating its appeal to the Chinese government to address the genuine grievances of the Tibetans inside Tibet and resolve the Tibet issue peacefully.
