A Tibetan woman burned herself to death just days before the March 10 anniversary of the failed 1959 uprising against the Chinese rule, that forced Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to flee to India.

The woman, identified only as Norchuk, was in her 40s when she took her life on Friday, near Trotsuk township in Aba county in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The inc ident was reported by the British-based "Free Tibet" campaign and U.S.-funded Radio Free Asia (RFA).

Like Us on Facebook

In the last six years, 13 Tibetans have set  themselves on fire, including Friday's incident. Many of those who burned themselves to death had ties with a monastery in the area.

Norchuk had one son and two daughters. Her family was unable to hold any traditional funeral ritual as the local government immediately cremated Norchuk's remains.

For its part, the Communist Party's office in Aba county refutes the existence of such a story.

"The reports are wrong," a party official said.

The radio network RFA says local governments in Tibetan areas have been trying to intimidate the natives who wanted to hold religious practices for the Lunar New Year.

Security is also being tightened in their towns to prevent protests commemorating the anniversary of the uprising.

Tibetans in China have accused government of religious repression. They also protest the influx of people from the Han Ethnic group into communities that have long been held by the Tibetans.

Self-immolations have become less common in Tibet in recent months. These incidents peaked during the run-up to the ruling Communist Party's congress in November, 2012.

Beijing blames the Dalai Lama for these acts, saying that the spiritual leader is using them to pursue a separatist agenda. The Dalai Lama, however, says, those who are burning themselves to death are desperate and that he cannot do anything about it.

TagsTibetan woman, Self immolation, Norchuk, Free Tibet, Dalai Lama