Dharamshala: Four Tibetans detained for taking part in last year’s peaceful protest in Kardze County, Kardze Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, in Sichuan Province, have been sentenced to imprisonment by the Intermediate People’s Court, the Dharamshala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy reported on 19 February.Amongst 55 nuns arrested last year in Kardze on 14 May 2008, two nuns from Phangri Na Nunnery, Soe Lhatso and Bhumo, were sentenced to 10 and 9 years imprisonment respectively.
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| Soe Lhatso |
Soe Lhatso, 35 years old and Bhumo, aged 36 are currently held in a prison of Trimon area, 140 kms from Chengdu. In another incident, Ngawang Tashi, aged 18 years old, son of Sangay Tsering and Kelwang from Jesungda Village, Kardze County was sentenced for 3 years imprisonment. Dorjee Tashi 18 years old, son of father Gonpo Dadul and mother Dungtso Dolma from Jhelingda Village, Kardze County was sentenced for 3 years imprisonment. Both were arrested for their participation in 18 March 2008 peaceful protest in Kardze County. Both were earlier detained in the Kardze county Public Security (PSB) detention centre and Drango county PSB detention centre. The verdicts were passed by the Kardze County Intermediate People’s Court.The Tibetan human rights group has expressed its grave concern for the detainees who were sentenced and urged the International community to press the Chinese government to obtain immediate release of the detainees.
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| Bhumo |
The rights group also reported on 20 February that the Chinese authorities have deployed thousands of troops in the Lithang County, following the protest in the region and imposed severe restriction on the movement of the people.TCHRD quoted sources that hundreds of People’s Armed Police (PAP) have sieged the Lithang County following the recent protest in the region. Severe restrictions are being put on the movement of the people in Lithang. Not a single person is allowed to move out of their villages and monasteries by warning that they have to met serious consequences if they come out of the streets. All the markets were closed and the town looked like deserted with the forces in full combat gears. The situation in the town is very tense at the moment.Movements in and out of Lithang County is fully restricted and even neighbouring villagers from Othok and Youtru were completely barred from venturing into the town. Communication lines are said to be cut off temporarily, making it difficult to connect to the outside world. On 18 February, in a meeting called among the monastic clergies, committee members and high lamas of the monasteries in Lithang, monks were warned by authorities of dire consequences if anyone participates in any of the secessionist activities. They were also told that government would firmly crush any acts of peaceful protest by Tibetans in Tibet and wage people’s war to maintain stability.Of the 21 Tibetans detained earlier this week for protest in Lithang County, Damdul Gompo (named as Damdul in earlier report) was released in the evening of 16 February from the Tsagha PSB detention centre. Yanglo and Dolma were also reported to have been released on the same day.
