Dharamshala: A Tibetan woman, one among the 121 detained from Dza Wonpo recently, is reported to be in critical condition. Police officials of Sershul (Ch: Shiqu) county, where the Tibetans are detained have denied permission for Kalsang Dolma (also known as Kadol), aged around 50, to seek medical admission to the hospital. 

According to our source, Kadol was taken to Sershul County Hospital after she fell critically ill while in detention. The county hospital however declined to give assurance of the treatment. Further, when a request to visit a different hospital for treatment was made, both the county hospital authorities and the police authorities, believed to be working together, denied the permission.

Those detained at Sershul along with Kadol are subjected to ill-treatment where they are given very little to eat and insufficient clothing to wear. They are also repeatedly investigated while in detention.

Kadol continues to be in custody instead of receiving the necessary medical care at a standard hospital.

Further restrictions on Social Media

The authorities further asked the Tibetans to refrain from creating or joining any groups and organizations on social media. Officials have warned residents against engaging in WeChat groups created for the preservation of the Tibetan language and religious groups promoting religious activities such as chanting of Mani mantras and other prayers.

From 22 August to 14 September, the Chinese authorities carried out various house searches and arrested over 121 Tibetans for keeping pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama or contacting Tibetans in exile. While only four Tibetans have been released so far the rest remain detained in Sershul County.

The Dza Wonpo town in Karze (Ch: Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, continues to remain under high-security surveillance where the residents are subjected to draconian rules and unlawful inspections.

-Filed by the UN, EU, and the Human Rights Desk/DIIR