DHARAMSHALA: The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has condemned the Chinese government’s crackdown on Tibetans protesting against illegal mining in Zatoe region of Yushul in eastern Tibet last week, which left hundreds of Tibetans severely injured.

“We are deeply concerned over China’s systematic and rampant exploitation of mineral resources and environment. The Chinese government completely tramples upon the Tibetan people’s religious sentiments and their deep respect for environment,” the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said in a statement Thursday.

The mining operations in Tibet are being carried out in complete violation of the laws on environmental protection stipulated in the Chinese constitution, it said, adding that Tibet’s environment affects billions of people in Asia, including China.

“We strongly urge the international community, including world governments, to press the Chinese government to end destruction of Tibet’s ecology,” the Tibetan Parliament said.

Several hundred Tibetans were injured and one reportedly committed suicide, after Chinese security forces used tear gas and rampant beating to disperse thousands of Tibetans protesting against diamond mining in Zatoe in eastern Tibet’s Yushul region (incorporated into China’s Qinghai province) last Friday.

The local Tibetans complained that the mining activities trigger environmental problems and are carried out without sanctions from the central government.

China’s large-scale exploitation of mineral resources in Tibet has led to sustained socio-economic and environmental problems. Massive influx of Chinese migrant workers into Tibetan areas deprives Tibetans of employment opportunities.

The Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala has repeatedly called on China to ensure active participation of Tibetan people in all decision making process and that social, environmental and cultural impacts assessment are carried out.