DHARAMSHALA: Since the peaceful protest against the Chinese government in Kham Drakgo, Chinese military personnels have maintained a strict and repressive presence in the area. Scores of Tibetan monks and lay persons were arrested arbitrarily during the protests and sentenced to various prison terms.

Sonam Dhargyal was one such individual who was arrested during the protest. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison while Pema Woesel, another Tibetan, was sentenced to 5 years. Five other individuals were also sentenced to varying prison terms for their role in the peaceful protests against the Chinese government in Kham Drakgo on 23 January, 2012.

Latest reports coming out of Tibet also say that another 16 Tibetans were sentenced to differing prison terms on 26 April. Wangchen Tsering,30, was sentenced to 9 years in prison while Chonam (25),Azi Shopo (50s),Jhipe (30),Kuntho (20s),Kundup (30),Nyendak (30s),Phurpa Tsering (30s)and Wangtse (20s) were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 13 years. One person, Sonam Lhundup was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The exact details of the names and the terms of the sentence of all the 16 Tibetans sentenced are not clear yet.