'43 Tibetans have self-immolated since 2009'

"Since 2009, 43 persons have committed self immolation to attract the world's attention towards the burning issue of Tibet. We have confirmed information 31 have died, while we still don't have any information about the remaining 12," Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile member Karma Yeshi told reporters.

Last July 6 too, a 22-year old man set himself ablaze in the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa, he said, adding that all the victims were aged between 16 and 44 years.

Terming the situation in Tibet "still tense," he alleged that the Chinese government was "crushing Tibetan culture and language in Tibet."

Yeshi was in the city with the 'Flame of Truth' which was en route from Kochi to Delhi.

"The Flame of Truth is to create awareness among world leaders to unite and look at what is happening now in Tibet," he said.

The initiative demands that the UN discuss the issue of Tibet based on the resolutions it had passed in 1959, 1961 and 1965 and an international fact finding delegation visit and investigate the crisis in Tibet, he said.

He said their other demand was that the UN take special responsibility to ensure the basic aspirations of the Tibetans in Tibet are fulfilled.

There are over 1.2 lakh people from Tibet living in India, he said.