Latest Updates on Tibet Demonstrations
Wednesday, 26 March 2008, 10:25 a.m.
Afternoon update for Tuesday, 25th March 2008, last updated 2pm (IST)
Re: Tibet demonstrations
March 24 and 25, 2008
Drakgo (Ch: Luhuo) County, Karze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” Sichuan province – At least one person killed and 9 arrested during protest by hundreds.
On March 24, in Chokri village, around 200 nuns from Ngang-khong
nunnery held a protest march to the Government headquarters at Tehor
Township (around 4-5 kms walk), arriving around 4pm in the afternoon.
At the headquarters the nuns shouted “Free Tibet” slogans and “Long
live H.H the Dalai Lama” etc. The nuns were also joined by Tibetans
from Tehor Township, over 200 monks from nearby Chokri Monastery and
around 150 nuns from Khasum Nunnery (Khasum Township). This massive
protest lasted till around 5pm.
During the protest a monk (age 21) from Chokri Monastery was
shot and killed on the spot by the military. When the military tried to
take the dead body away, protestors were able to collectively keep the
body in their possession and later hid the body in a safe spot. Another
protestor, Tsewang Dhondup was also shot (on his kidney) and remains in
extremely critical condition with little hope for survival.
On March 25, military helicopters flew around the area for survellience. Also, an evening curfew has been imposed.
Nine protestors (from the many that took part on the March 24
protest) were arrested today on March 25. Few names of the arrestees
can be confirmed. They are:
1) Lobsang Wangchen (Abbot from Chokri Monastery, Drakgo County).
2) Tsewang Gyatso (from Chukhar village)
3) Kalsang Dawa
4) Tharchen
5) Palden Sherab
6) Kunyang (from Thaga family, Jhang-drong village)
The situation remains very tense in Drakgo village.
March 22, 2008
Tsegor Thang (Ch: Xinghai) County, Tsolho “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Qinghai province – A-tsok monastery under tight restrictions
At around 9pm, monks from A-tsok monastery held a peaceful
demonstration during which they shouted free-Tibet slogans and also
raised the Tibetan flag on the monastery rooftop and on the hill top
behind the monastery.
In a school near A-tsok monastery, the monks from A-tsok
monastery brought down the Chinese flag and raised the Tibetan flag in
its place.
Chinese military arrived at the scene and surrounded the
Monastery premises. They also pressured the retired staff and lamas of
the monastery to bring the protest to an end. The monks were also
strictly warned by the military not to share the details of todayïž’s
incident with outsiders. The monks were also given some “patriotic
re-education.” A-tsok monastery continues to be under tight
restrictions.
March 20, 2008
Dzamthang (Ch: Rangtang) County, Ngapa (Ch: Aba) “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan province – Protest held
Monks and lay people of Dotoe Township (Dzamthang County) held a
protest. However, it was suppressed very quickly by the Chinese
military.
The people of Dotoe Township have been summoned for a meeting
called by the deputy head of Dzamthang County and Dotoe Township
officials.
Pema (Ch: Banma) County, Golog “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Qinghai province – Protest held
After the arrival and the subsequent tight restrictions by
Chinese military forces in Pema County, a protest was held during which
the people demanded concrete results in the Sino-Tibetan dialogue.
The same evening in Panchen, Pangrue and Markhog villages, Tibetans held peaceful demonstrations.
March 23, 2008
Chone (Ch: Zhuoni) County, Kanlho “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” Gansu Province – Protest held
Monks from Tashi Choeling monastery held a peaceful
demonstration against the Chinese rule. The military warned the monks
that they must surrender by March 24. Many monks have been arrested
from Tashi Choeling monastery.
No specific date
Rebgong (Ch: Tongren) County and Tsekhog (Ch: Zeku) County, Malho “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Qinghai province – Monasteries facing crisis as China blocks food and water supplies
In various counties (including Rebgong and Tsekhog), monasteries
are facing a crisis as water and food supplies have been blocked by the
Chinese authorities. The monasteries have appealed to the international
community to assist with the current crisis.
A similar crisis is also being faced in various areas of Ngapa
Prefecture, “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” and they too have appealed
to the international community for immediate help.
Darlag (Ch: Dari), Golog “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Qinghai province – Tibetans have vowed to continue their demonstrations and not to surrender to the Chinese forces.
Drachen (Ch: Baqing), Sog-dzong (Ch: Sou) and Driru (Ch: Biru) counties, Nagchu Prefecture, “Tibetan Autonomous Region” – A
huge deployment of Chinese military has been made in the above three
counties and will be stationed there until the end of the summer
Olympics.
