16 January 2008
Senior Tashilhunpo monks found hanging
(RFA; AsiaNews) Two senior monks at the Tashilhunpo monastery in Shigatse, have allegedly committed suicide, sources in Tibet and in India have told RFA’s Tibetan service. Gyaltsen Tsepa Lobsang, 71, and Yangpa Locho, 71, were found hanged on 08 September and 04 November respectively. According to local monks, they faced consistent humiliation and exclusion. Both were monks at the seat of the disputed Panchen Lama and were blamed for recognising the 11th Panchen Lama, who was later seized by the authorities. Protests were sparked when Beijing selected its own candidate for the Panchen Lama, and enthroned him in 1995.