Updates on Tibet, 8 May 2008

Thursday, 8 May 2008, 4:15 p.m.

Update on Tibet, 8 May 2008
Last updated 2 pm (IST) Re: Tibet Demonstrations

1-8 May 2008

Nagchu (Ch: Naqu) Prefecture, Kham (incorporated into “TAR”) – Authorities re-locate Stupas to create space for a park

Eleven stupas (a Buddhist shrine or pagoda that houses a relic), which
earlier stood behind the prayer hall of Nagchu Shabten Monastery (in
Nagchu Town, Nagchu County) have been re-located at a crematorium (at
the foot-hill of Gyabri Dharcha Lhamo). County and Prefecture officials
told monks of the monastery that the stupas were being re-located since
they did not look “appealing” to the many tourists who visited the
monastery.

Heavy machinery was used for re-locating the stupas which took
around eight days in total. The original site of the stupas is now
being turned into a park.

The original site of the stupas is now being turned into a park.

The stupas are decades old and were partially damaged during the
Cultural Revolution. However, since then the stupas were repaired.

Monks and laypeople of the region have shown much resentment towards the re-location of the stupas.