Contact is taking a holiday!

Contact is taking a break after 25 years of bringing you news of Tibet and Tibetan issues. We are celebrating our 25 years by bringing you the story of Contact and the people who have made it happen, and our archive is still there for you to access at any time, and below you can read the story of Contact, how it came into being and the wonderful reflections of the people who have made it happen over the years.

When and how Contact will re-emerge and evolve will be determined by those who become involved.

Jigme Tenzin

March 17, 2014;

Jigme Tenzin, 29, a monk from Sonag monastery in Jhador township set himself on fire outside his monastery around 7.30 AM (local time). Fellow monks managed to carry his charred body inside the monastery and he died later the same day. Several monks from the Sonag monastery, which is in Tsekhog County, Malho Prefecture, were interrogated at the local police station. Most of them returned to the monastery later, except four monks who continue to be held. Jigme was not identified until several days later as the authorities in Tsekhog cut down all communication lines following the self-immolation, including all micro-messaging apps to ensure that the news and any pictures were not sent out. The initial report came via the Associated Press who quoted China’s official Xinhua news agency as reporting that the immolation had taken place and that police were rushing to the site but gave no further details. Jigme studied at the Rebkong Rongwo monastery for ten years before returning to his native of Tsekhog.

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