DHARAMSHALA: With the continuing crackdown on Tibetans in Driru county in Tibet Autonomous Region’s Nagchu Prefecture, the Chinese authorities have arrested over 17 Tibetans who have been demanding the release of two fellow villagers.

The Tibetans in Tenkhar village near Shamchu town in Driru county held a peaceful protest on Sunday (3 November), demanding the release of Tibetan writer, Tsultrim Gyaltsen and his friend Yougyal.  Tsultrim and Yougyal were picked from their homes by the police during a night raid in October. Tsultrim was charged with engaging in separatist activities and disrupting social stability by spreading rumours.

Those arrested include Sarkyi, 49; Tsophen, 47; Yangkyi, 25; Tsering, 22; Tsering Phuntsok, 21; Tador, 21; Kundak 17; Gabuk, 41; Tenpa, 22; Thupchen, 27; Soeta, 25; Tsering Jangchup, 21; Jigme Phuntsok, 23; Lamsang, 24 and Tsewang Lhakyab, 19.

The arrests of Tibetans took place amid the ongoing Chinese government’s campaign of political indoctrination and re-education, which force Tibetans to swear allegiance to the Chinese communist party and denounce their revered spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A huge number of Chinese officials arrived in the village on Sunday to enforce the campaign.

The situation in Driru county remains tense after the Chinese government strengthens measures forcing Tibetans to hoist Chinese flags in their homes in early Oct. The Tibetans have shown strong opposition against this measure. On 6 Oct, the Chinese police opened fire on peaceful Tibetan protesters in Dathang township, which left over 60 Tibetans injured. The protesters were demanding the release of Dorjee Dragtsel, a Tibetan who was arrested from Nagchu township, apparently for his persistent advocacy of freedom and truth on the issue of Tibet.

The police firing drew condemnation from Amnesty International, a prominent human rights group. “It is outrageous for the police to start firing on a peaceful gathering. This latest incident shows that the Chinese authorities have done nothing to rein in excessive use of force by their security forces or to increase respect for Tibetans’ right to freedom of peaceful assembly,” Corinna-Barbara Francis, Amnesty International’s China Researcher, said in a statement on 9 October.

“Across the Tibetan region the situation remains tense, the Chinese authorities are doing nothing to improve it by continuing to deny Tibetans their most basic human rights. The daily harassment and humiliating treatment have to end,” said Francis.