Tibetan rights group says monk set himself on fire

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9876726



BEIJING (AP) — A Tibetan activist group says another monk has set himself on fire to protest against China's tight grip over Buddhist practices.

Free Tibet said Monday that the monk, aged 17 or 18, was from the Kirti monastery in Aba in western Sichuan near the Tibetan border. A statement from the group, which calls for self-determination for Tibet, said it is the fifth such incident this year.

It said the monk called for religious rights and freedom in Tibet when he set himself on fire.

Aba and the Kirti monastery have been the scene of numerous protests over the past several years against the Chinese government. It was not possible Monday night to independently confirm the report.