Editor's note: National broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) aired a documentary on self-immolations that have occurred in the country's Tibetan-inhabited areas on May. 16, 2013, which centered on so-called "Self-immolation Guide" produced by the Dalai Lama clique and how the clique has manipulated the incidents, and was aimed at helping the international community to understand the truth of the situation, according to a statement issued by central authorities.
The following records try to review some tragic cases, in order to clarify the facts and analyze the manipulators behind the flames.

Record of self-immolation cases in southwest China's Sichuan Province

When: 2009 to 2012
Where: Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Sichuan Province
Who: Lorang Konchok, a 40-year-old monk at the Kirti Monastery in Aba County, and Lorang Tsering, his 31-year-old nephew
What: Lorang Konchok and Lorang Tsering incited a series of self-immolations, which goaded eight people to set themselves on fire, three of whom died.

How:
Lorang Konchok used his status as a "geshe", a high-level Tibetan religious scholar, to convince monks and others to self-immolate. Taking advantage of his position and influence in the monastery he often encouraged others to self-immolate, telling local monks and followers that self-immolation was not against Buddhist doctrines and those who did it were "heroes".
When someone agreed to commit suicide by burning himself or herself, the two people would record his or her personal and family information, take pictures and promise to "pass the information on to India".
As soon as the self-immolation was done, they sent pictures, accounts of the incident and other information to their overseas contacts belonging to the "Tibet independence" organization via mobile phones.

Brief event review:
After a Kirti Monastery monk named Tapey self-immolated in Feb. 2009, Lorang Konchok was contacted by some key figures of the media liaison team-a "Tibet independence" organization of the Dalai Lama group, and he continuously sent the latter information about incidents of self-immolation.

Tsenam, 19, a former monk at a village temple in Aba, was the first victim. He often borrowed classical Buddhism texts from Lorang Konchok when he studied at the Aba Kirti Monastery in 2011, when Lorang Konchok spoke to him about the benefits of self-immolation and "Tibet independence".

On Mar. 6, 2012 Tsenam expressed a desire to self-immolate; Lorang Konchok claimed a photo of Tsenam in order to publicize his "heroic deeds". Two days later, Tsenam burned himself to death.

Jokba, 19, a herdsman from Aba, ended his life the same way on Aug. 10, 2012. The next day, pro-Tibet independence websites reported on the incidents, referring to the deaths as a protest.

Lorang Konchok later confessed to police that he acted on the instructions of the Dalai clique.

Latest results:
Lorang Konchok and Lorang Tsering were accused of intentional homicide by the Intermediate People's Court of the Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Aba on Jan. 26, 2013.

Later Lorang Konchok was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve and has been stripped of his political rights for life. His nephew Lorang Tsering was sentenced to 10 years in prison and has been stripped of his political rights for three years, according to the court verdict.

Chart shows the brief review of self-immolation cases in southwest China's Sichuan Province.[China Tibet Online]

Record of self-immolation cases in northwest China's Qinghai Province

When: 2011 to 2012
Where: Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province
Who: Phagpa, a 27-year-old man who studied in India at an institution established by the 14th Dalai Lama clique for training separatists in June 2005.
What: Phagpa attempted to incite a 24-year-old monk, Drolma Je, to self-immolate in November, 2012, but the monk was discovered and prevented from doing so by his relatives.
How:
After returning to China in Sep. 2011, he worked to spread pro-independence ideas among local students while working as a teacher at an orphanage and opening computer and English training courses.
Brief event review:
In 2005, Phagpa illegally left China for India, where he received comprehensive training at an institute specially created by the Dalai Lama clique to turn out the "Tibetan independence" backbone forces.

After his return in July 2011, Phagpa worked as a teacher and organized free English training classes. In June 2012, he joined an illegal association in Tongren and delivered agitative speeches at the funerals of self-immolators on behalf of the organization.

On Nov. 8, 2012, Phagpa organized more than 50 primary school students and local herders to gather in front of the Dowa township government, shouting slogans related to "Tibetan independence".

Drolma Je said he had known Phagpa prior to the latter's trip to India, and had met him in June and July last year. Phagpa told him "self-immolation will be conducive to the return of the Dalai Lama to the Tibetan region and a good thing for Tibetans."

Latest results:
The Intermediate People's Court of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture sentenced Phagpa to 13 years in jail for inciting a monk to self-immolate on Feb. 8, 2013. The court convicted Phagpa of intentional homicide and inciting secession after an open trial, and he is also deprived of his political rights for two years.

Chart shows the brief review of self-immolation cases in northwest China's Qinghai Province.[China Tibet Online]

Record of self-immolation cases in northwest China's Gansu Province

When: 2012
Where: Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Gansu Province
Who: Karong Takchen, a 21-year-old monk from a temple in neighboring Sichuan province
What: Karong Takchen had colluded with local monks Samuten, Tashi Gyamuktso and Tentsang to recruit self-immolation victims in several places, and they encouraged a series of self-immolations within 20 days that led to the deaths of three people.
How:
Karong Takchen acted under the instruction of Gantrin and Kunga, both members of the Tibetan Youth Congress, as well as Amdo, a Tibetan broadcaster for Voice of America and VOA journalist Palden.
Brief event review:
Karong Takchen, working in tandem with Tenbe Gyalpo and Tentsang, selected Dogye Rinchen as the self-immolator. They repeatedly encouraged Dogye Rinchen to sacrifice himself and helped him obtain gasoline, according to a police investigation.

Persuaded by Karong Takchen, Dogye Rinchen lit himself alight on Oct 23 in Xiahe County.

Local police rushed to rescue the victim but were halted by another two people on the way, which ultimately resulted in the death of Dogye Rinchen.

Soon after Dogye Rinchen's death, Takchen and Samuten chose Thub Magyal as another self-immolator and convinced him that the act would contribute to Tibetan people.
Latest results:
Gansu police have arrested five Tibetan major suspects, including Karong Takchen, Samuten, Tashi Gyamuktso, Tenbe Gyalpo and Tentsang, for allegedly convincing three people to self-immolate.

Chart shows the brief review of self-immolation cases in northwest China's Gansu Province.[China Tibet Online]