Local Tibetans are handing over the knives that they have been carrying with them for many years to be burnt (photo taken from the website of the Central Tibetan Administration).
The conclusion of this Tibetologist is indeed depressing. No change is happening at all? Or in other words, have the sacrifices through self-immolations in the entire Tibetan region not brought about any consciousness or any movement?
In reality, the achievements and last words of every single self-immolator have been spreading extensively among local people, instigating tremendous reactions. For example, in Darlag County where Sopa Rinpoche self-immolated, several hundred Tibetans spontaneously destroyed thousands of knives, hunting guns and bullets together and swore that from then on they would never use weapons again, would never fight any internal battles, steal or kill; they strengthened internal unity. A different example comes from Dzamtang County where six Tibetans self-immolated in a row; several thousands of Tibetans also spontaneously collected huge numbers of knives, guns and bullets and handed them to the main Dzamtang Chode Monastery and Tsangwa Monastery to destroy them. They also swore to never quarrel or kill again.[Source]