Tibetan man in his 50s sets himself on fire

A rights group says a Tibetan man set himself on fire and is believed to have died in the latest protest against Chinese rule over Himalayan region.

Beijing: A rights group says a Tibetan man in his 50s has set himself on fire and is believed to have died in the latest protest against Chinese rule over the Himalayan region.

London-based Free Tibet says the man identified as Dhondup set fire to himself Monday at Labrang Monastery in northwestern Gansu province.

The group says the monastery is known for its resistance to Chinese rule, but that this is the first self-immolation to take place there.

The group says nearly 60 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since March 2011 to protest Chinese rule. Many have called for the return of their spiritual leader, the exiled Dalai Lama.

PTI