DHARAMSHALA: Three Tibetan monks and two lay men have been arrested for protesting against the Chinese rule in Sershul county in eastern Tibet’s Kham province on 10 March.

The three monks – Sonam Namgyal, Thubten Gelek and Lobsang Samten – carrying a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama raised slogans calling for freedom and democracy.

The police also arrested two lay men, Lobsang Kalsang and Ngawang Gyatso, when they tried to prevent them from arresting the three monks.

Following the arrests, the Chinese government has imposed severe restrictions on internet and phone connections, and deployed massive security forces across the region.

The three monks belong to Mang-Gye monastery in Zachukha in Sershul county.

While Lobsang Kalsang, 17, son of Jamyang Tsering and Jamyang Dolma, and Ngawang Gyatso, son of late Tsewang Lhamo, are natives of Bumnying and Bumsar village in Zachukha respectively.

On 10 March 2008, 14 monks from Lungkar monastery in Golok, and Onpo, Mang-Gye and Kashi monasteries in Zachukha studying at Sera monastery took part in a peaceful protest in Barkhor square in Tibet’s capital Lhasa. Since then Zachukha has witnessed sustained protest by Tibetans.