Choephel, the 19-year old former monk of Kirti Monastery in Ngaba, eastern Tibet, succumbed to his injuries in a Chinese government hospital in Barkham area yesterday.Choephel along with Khaying had set themselves ablaze in the town of Ngaba, on October 7, protesting China’s repressive policies and continued occupation of Tibet.Khaying attained martyrdom in the same hospital a day before on October 10.With hands joined in prayers, both of them had called for Tibetans to unite and rise up against the Chinese regime and raised slogans for Tibet’s freedom.Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and indiscriminately beat the two while dousing the fire.

According to the exile base of Kirti Monastery in Dharamshala, Chinese authorities have refused to hand over possession of the deceased’s body to his family.

“Choephel's family has been ordered to limit the number of monks performing the customary last rite prayers at their home to five,” the monastery said in a release.

“Similar to the earlier instances of Phuntsog’s death in March and Khaying’s passing away, the Chinese authorities have issued strict orders to Ngaba public against mourning Choephel’s death or expressing condolences to the deceased’s family,” the release said.

The local Tibetans in the Ngaba district, going against the orders, had for three days closed down all businesses as a mark of respect and to show solidarity with the self-immolating Tibetans and their families.