Two more Tibetans self-immolate over 'Chinese repression'

London, Aug 28 (ANI): Two teenage Tibetan men have reportedly died after setting themselves on fire in protest against China's political and religious suppression.

According to a US broadcaster and two overseas pressure groups, Lobsang Kalsang, 18, a Buddhist monk, and former monk Damchoe, 17, set themselves on fire in southwest China's Aba town.

Radio Free Asia said, citing two India-based monks, that the two men shouted slogans condemning Chinese policies in Tibet as they set themselves alight.

According to The Telegraph, they protested close to Aba's Kirti monastery, which has been under heavy security since a monk self-immolated in March 2011.

According to tallies by overseas-based pressure groups Free Tibet and the International Campaign for Tibet, nearly 52 Tibetans are believed to have set themselves alight since 2009 in Tibetan-inhabited parts of China.

China's leaders have accused the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama of inciting the self-immolations and encouraging separatism.

The Dalai Lama, who himself condemned self-immolations, blames hardline Chinese rule of Tibetan-populated areas. (ANI)