DHARAMSHALA: The Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration is organising a prayer service for Konpe who died on the morning of 24 December after setting himself on fire on 23 December 2017. Konpe burned himself in an apparent protest against the Chinese government for its failed and repressive policies that it has imposed in Tibet.
The prayer service will be held at Tsuglakhang at 04:00 pm on Wednesday, 27 December 2017.
Konpe hails from Chukle Gongma pastoral community in Cha village, Ngaba county. Just over a year ago, he has married Kelsang Lhamo, a daughter of Rawa Tsang household in Me’uruma settlement no. 2, and joined her family. He was aged around 30, his father’s name is Gyakyap and his mother is Trindok. He has two brothers and three sisters. One brother is a Kirti monk. Konpe himself joined the monastery as a child, but later disrobed.
After the self-immolation protest, all the restaurants and shops in Ngaba county and town remained closed on 24 and 25 December to express solidarity with his family members.
At least 151 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in protest against the Chinese government in Tibet since 2009. Out of the total self-immolators, 129 have died while the rest have been grievously injured or their status remain unknown to this day.