According to police authorities in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, Lorang Konchok, a monk at Kirti Monastery in Aba county, and his nephew Lorang Tsering have been detained for inciting a series of self-immolations under orders from the Dalai Lama group.

The police revealed that two locals, who had been continuously harassed and urged to commit self-immolation, fled their hometown and didn't return until the two suspects had been apprehended. Those who agreed to set themselves on fire received promises from the two instigators that their individual and family information would be recorded, pictures would be taken, and the information would be sent to the media liaison team under the Dalai Lama.

The arrest of the instigators confirms speculation that has long been held by many observers, who pointed out that it was too much of a coincidence that in previous self-immolation cases, Dharamsala instantly learned the details of the incidents, obtained video footage taken by witnesses and propagated the incidents immediately after they took place.

In Dharamsala, headshots and names of the self-immolators are printed on big banners which are then hung in the streets. They are revered as heroes who sacrifice themselves for the "unity and solidarity" of Tibetans.

In the forum of international public opinion, while some continue to bash Beijing for "suppressing" Tibetans' political pursuits, others have noted that it's appalling that deadly incidents have occurred in clusters in order to become a politically effective tool. Individual self-immolation cases are not enough to create a sensation. The Tibetan government-in-exile apparently did not stint in its encouragement of group suicides.

Buddhism, like many other religions, opposes violence and attaches respect to life. Committing or agitating others to commit suicide is seen as unforgivable devilry in Buddhist doctrines. These extreme acts not only betray and stain Buddhist scriptures that uphold peace, but also violate the law. Recently, it was clearly stated by China's top court and public security authorities that self-immolators and anyone who organizes, directs, plots and assists others in self-immolation can face criminal charges, including intentional homicide.

In other parts of the world, suicide attacks by religious extremists have caused anger. The situation is similar in China. In any circumstances, sacrificing innocent lives for political ends should not be tolerated, and those coercing or urging others to commit suicide for political ends must face the legal consequences.