DHARAMSHALA: A Tibetan monk, Kalsang Choedar, studying in Palyul Nyingma monastery in Palyul county in Karze (incorporated into China’s Sichuan Province) was arrested by Chinese police on 12 October, confirmed reports from Tibet say.

He was walking in the local market in Palyul when he was detained by the police. The reason for his detention is still unknown.

Kalsang Choedar is a native of Chungpa Karmay village in Sog county in Nagchu and was earlier a monk of Chungpa Nyimaling monastery. He joined Palyul monastery in 2004 and was due to graduate next year.

His arrest was preceded by unknown people coming to the monastery to enquire about his whereabouts. After his arrest, the local residents of Palyul and monks from the monastery went to the county police station to demand his release. Several people were also injured during the protest.

The police told the Tibetan protesters that Kalsang Choedar was arrested by authorities from the Tibet Autonomous Region and is currently lodged in Chamdo.

An eyewitness also said that the Chinese police have confiscated Kalsang Choedar’s cell phone and feared that Tibetans whose contacts are in the phone might face reprisal from the authorities.