DHARAMSHALA: According to a reliable source, Ney Kyab, a Tibetan man set himself ablaze to death on Thursday morning, 16 April. He was the second Tibetan to self-immolate this month, becoming the 138th Tibetan since 2009 to self immolate in protest against the Chinese government’s repressive polices and intensive grip over Tibet.

Ney Kyab, 45, also known as Damkar, was father to seven children and son of deceased parents Naymo and Kartema. He was originally from Adue Yultso, Ngaba (in Chinese, Aba) county in the Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

Before committing his fiery protest, Kyab paid a pilgrimage to Kriti monastery. He placed photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama along with the photos of his seven children on the altar, decorated with Tibetan religious offerings.

During the self-immolation, he called out for the return of the exiled spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and release of the 11th Panchen Lama.

The 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted along with his family by the Chinese authorities three days after he was recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama on 14 May 1995.  Their whereabouts and well-being remain unknown since then.

To honour the act of the self-immolators, last year he initiated a campaign not to indulge oneself in disputes amongst the Tibetans and called for unity. He was highly recognised by the local people.