Tibetan sets himself on fire

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BEIJING, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- A 27-year-old Tibetan father of two died after setting himself on fire in Tibet after calling for the return of the Dalai Lama, a rights group in London said.

Free Tibet said the weekend self-immolation by Lhamo Kyab, the latest in a number of such protests by Tibetans opposing Chinese rule of their land, occurred in a village in Sangchu County in Eastern Tibet.

The rights group quoted a witness as saying Lhamo Kyab walked toward the Bhora Monastery shouting slogans demanding the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet. Security forces tried to extinguish the flames but were unsuccessful, the group said.

The victim's body was taken to the monastery where villagers and monks held a prayer service for him. It was then removed to his home village of Dokabma.

At least 55 Tibetans have now set themselves on fire since protests against Chinese rule of their homeland began in February 2009.

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans who lives in exile in Dharamshala, India, has been accused by China of instigating such acts by Tibetans. The Buddhist leader and the Tibetan government-in-exile in India have said they oppose all forms of violence.