Tibetans unified than ever in freedom struggle

Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay has said that the rising bids of self-immolation reflected a desperate situation inside Tibet. Protests by self-immolation are becoming more common in Tibet. Recently, a Tibetan youth burnt himself to death in south-western China on March 6, which according to Tibetan rights groups reflected growing resentment against Beijing’s policies in the Tibetan areas of China. Blaming the circumstances for the tragic incidents, Sangay said there was "absolutely no ground whatsoever" for taking recourse to such drastic way of protest. "Absolutely no ground whatsoever, because there is no space for conventional protest inside Tibet. If you participate in demonstration, distribute pamphlets, rallies, you get arrested, most likely you get shot. Actually just this year some Tibetans participated in demonstrations and eight of them were shot dead. Given the consequences Tibetans are saying they might as well give up their life for sake of Tibet and Tibetan people which is a tragic way to do it but the circumstances, environment does not provide that platform," Sangay added. Sangay further said that the Tibetans were unified than ever in their struggle for Tibet’s freedom from China. "It has been one year since His Holiness the Dalai Lama devolved his political power and in this one year we have had a normal transition that demonstrates our strength, unity and solidarity, which is expected of us, by the Tibetans-in-exile, particularly inside Tibet. It is a clear message to the Chinese government and hardline leaders in China that we are united. We are working hand in hand. And we march towards Tibet with freedom for Tibetans," he added.