Latest Updates on Tibet Demonstrations
Tuesday, 25 March 2008, 4:25 p.m.
Ramoche monk dies from starvation as tight restrictions continue in Monasteries
Since the start of the Demonstrations in Tibet on March 10, there has
been an increasingly strong military and police presence in and around
the premises of all the monasteries (that have had some involvement in
the recent demonstrations in Tibet).
Military and People’s Armed Police (PAP) have blocked off
water, electricity, food and health facilities in monasteries
(including Sera, Drepung and Gaden) that have had active involvement in
the recent demonstrations in Tibet.
Since March 14, in Ramoche Monastery (Lhasa) Chinese military
presence has been a regular scene, as they have completely surrounded
the monastery premises and blocked of all exit and entry points. As a
result of these tight restrictions, getting regular food and water
supplies has been a huge problem for the monastery and on March 23
evening, Thokmey (a monk from Ramoche) died from starvation as
confirmed from a reliable source. From time to time, the military have
been firing tear gas inside the Monastery premises.
Pressing issues (such as shortage of food and water,
restrictions on movement, lack of medical facilities and tear-gas use
by the military) are being faced by many monasteries in Tibet. While we
can confirm that such problems are widespread and prevalent, it is
proving extremely difficult to get details on specific incidences (such
as the one at Ramoche monastery) due to all the restrictions that have
been placed by the Chinese authorities.
Bathang (Ch: Batang) County and Derong (Ch: Derong) County, Karze “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,” Sichuan province – China attempts to win over hearts and minds of Tibetans.
In Batang and Derong Counties, the Chinese Government has given
around 20,000 Yuan to each of the monasteries and also has provided 300
kgs of rice to individual households. Itïž’s interesting to note the
irony since on one end as China continues to kill peaceful Tibetan
demonstrators (death toll rising almost by the day), on the other end,
it is trying to win over the Tibetans.
