The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

Update for Friday, 4 April 2008, last updated 2pm (IST) Re: Tibet demonstrations 4 April, 2008

Tight restrictions for foreign students at Tibet University (Lhasa)

Following the aftermath of the March 14 demonstration in Lhasa till the end of March, foreign students of Tibet University studying Tibetan language were restricted from leaving their university campus.

For over a week their mobile phones, internet and other devices have been disconnected.

Since a few days ago, a new rule has been imposed where if the foreign students of the University need to leave the campus for purchasing personal items, then special permission needs to be obtained. A maximum of 1-2 hour permission is given for them to leave the campus.

2 and 3 April

In Tongkor Township, Karze County, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan Province - "Patriotic re-education" campaign continues; those not complying being arrested

2 April 2008: Chinese "work-teams" arrived at various monasteries including Tongor monastery, Tongkor Township, in their attempt to give "patriotic re-education" classes.

Chinese "work-teams" also attempted a signature campaign to get people to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama and refer to him as a "splittist." The monk in charge of the monastery, Lobsang Jamyang, openly rejected the campaign.

Yeshi Nyima, also a monk from Tongor monastery, stood up during a "patriotic re-education" session and shouted that the he would not provide his signature, even at the cost of his life. The other monks of the monastery also made the same statements.

3 April 2008: People's Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB) arrived at Tongkor monastery in response to yesterday's incident at the monastery.

The PAP and PSB conducted thorough searches of all the monk quarters and confiscated portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the spiritual head of the monastery. They also took away mobile hand-sets and money belonging to the monks.

Geshe Tsultrim Gyatso, a 70-year old monk who demanded that His Holiness the Dalai Lama's portrait not be taken down, was arrested and taken into custody.

Laypeople (living nearby Tongor monastery) held a protest in support of the monks at Tongor monastery. Tsultrim Phuntsok, a 26 year old man, was arrested during the protest.

Around 8 - 9 PM, loud gun shots were heard in the Tongor village area. Later it was confirmed that Nyima and Kabook (both monks from Tongor monastery) were severely injured from gunshots. Currently, we have no additional details on number of people injured or killed.

There are around 300 monks at Tongor monastery. However, since the incident at Tongor monastery only a few senior monks remain at the monastery. Currently, we have no information on the whereabouts of the other monks.

2 April 2008

Bathang (Ch: Batang) County, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province - China pressuring monks to denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Chinese "work-teams" arrived at Ba-Chodae monastery, Bathang County. There, they attempted to collect signatures from the monks which would support Chinese allegations that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was responsible for inciting the recent demonstrations in Tibet.

Each of the 200 monks at the monastery refused to give into Chinese pressure by not providing their signatures. There were heated arguments between the monks and the "work-teams" leading to the arrest of five monks including the abbot of the monastery, Jigme Dorjee, and the Disciplinary in charge, Yeshi.

Tawu (Ch: Daofu) County, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province - Nuns hold prayer-march

Around 10 AM, nuns from the nunnery (located on Ratroe hilltop) walked towards the crematorium (near the Tawu County headquarters) holding a prayer-march for those killed during the recent demonstrations in Tibet.

On their way, the nuns were stopped by the police resulting in a heated argument. However, the police were not able to stop the determined nuns.

Near the Tawu County headquarters' middle school, the nuns were stopped again when County officials backed by three trucks full of policemen arrived to stop the nuns from continuing their peaceful march. Students of the middle school and local people shouted slogans to support the nuns.

The nuns successfully completed their prayer march.

Nya-tso monastery monks who had initially planned to go on the prayer-march with the nuns, were pressured by Chinese police to not take part and instead were in restricted to stay in their monastery.

Tuesday, 1 April 2008, 7:17 p.m.

Dharamshala:The Tibetan Solidarity Committee will organise global movements beginning 6 April to show solidarity with the Tibetans who have lost their lives during the recent Chinese crackdown in Tibet.

Addressing media persons this morning in Dharamshala, the committee members said, the world-wide campaign will start with a day-long prayer congregation at Tsuglagkhang (main temple) on 6 April here in Dharamsala.

On 7 April, people participating in the rally will voluntary shave their heads to show their solidarity with the Tibetans in Tibet, across selected locations.

A three-day global day of action will kick start from 10 April, during which Tibetans and Tibet supporters all over the world will observe the completion of one month of military crackdown on peaceful protesters in Tibet. According to the action plan, synchronised demonstrations will be held across six major cities in India and Nepal. The local organising committees would draft programs or Tibetans and Tibet supporters in the west including venue, nature of program and other details that is most suitable to the local conditions.

Mr Penpa Tsering, member of the committee said, "The concept of the program is to highlight the issues that have been raising with regards to the recent peaceful demonstrations in Tibet and our demands."

The program includes, candle light vigils, demonstration of mock funerals, mock arbitrary arrests, mock prison conditions, mock injured people without access to medical care in Tibet. Efforts will be made to invite government representatives to the rallies to get their support, he said.

He further said the committee will seek permission from the Delhi police to hold a peaceful rally at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, during the Olympic torch relay in New Delhi on 17 April.

Deputy Speaker Gyari Dolma has appealed the international community, who respect human rights and freedom of expression to support the non-violent efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

She urged the Chinese government to stop making false allegations against His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and instead, to look into solving the issue of Tibet.

She expressed gratitude to the people from Himalayan regions of Spiti and Ladakh, and all international Tibet supporters in showing their support for safeguarding human rights in Tibet.

Members of the committee, including Kalon Kesang Y. Takla and Mr. Tsultrim Tenzin, member of the parliament were also present at the conference.

 (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)