After reports of the self-immolations broke out recently, China has decided to ban foreigners from travelling to Tibet. China sent troops to Lhasa to maintain order and prevent further protests of any form to take place.

But underneath China’s heavy handed repression, Tibetan resentment towards China could erupt with greater force, the Wall Street Journal observes. Stalled negotiations between the Chinese government and Tibetan envoys have added to Tibetan frustration because of the “Communist Party’s lack of commitment to genuine dialogue over their demands for more autonomy.” The total number of self-immolations has reached 36. The Dalai Lama, exiled Tibetan leader, also claimed that the Chinese government was plotting to assassinate him.

A US government report on human rights stated that there were “extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial detentions, and house arrests” in Tibet last year.