« Mon 30 Jun - Sun 06 Jul | HomePage | Mon 14 Jul - Sun 20 Jul »

10/07/2008

Govt. oppression claims four Tibetan lives while Serta rise in protest

Nepalese police detain a Tibetan activist during an anti-Chinese demonstration in Kathmandu on July 4, 2008. Police detained more then 300 Tibetan protesters during the demonstration in the Nepalese capital which has seen almost daily protests since unrest erupted in March in Lhasa, capital of the Tibetan region, prompting a crackdown by Chinese security forces. Photo: AFP {The Tibet Post International -10 July 2008}-According to reliable sources, a senior monk of Kirti monastery in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) county died on July 6 due to excessive pressure by the Chinese authorities.
The monk identified as Jampel Gyatso aged 70 had been a patient of high blood pressure and stress, which was exacerbated by immense pressure the authorities exerted upon him following the expulsion of all the monks below the age of 18 years old and the launch of "patriotic education" campaign in the monastery.
 
The expulsion of younger monks had led the monastery almost vacant, which the authorities did not wanted to for fear of public criticism. Therefore, the authorities ordered the return of all the monks by July 5 to the monastery, or otherwise they warned the monks would be arrested from their homes. These pressures from the authorities lead to deterioration of the health condition of Jampel Gyatso, and he passed away days later.
 
Earlier in Kirti Dongri monastery under Ngaba county another monk called Lobsang Tsultrim committed suicide on July 3 for unable to bear the pressures of "patriotic education" campaign that was launched for the second time in this monastery. Before his death, Lobsang Tsultrim had expressed his anguish at the impending patriotic education campaign and complained about its severity. His elder brother found his body hanging in a wood-store of the monastery just five minutes after he left the quarter. Lobsang Tsultrim belonged to Meu Ruma village in Ngaba county. His father's name is Palkho and he was 16 years old.
 
In our July 2 release we had reported about the arrest of three monks namely Yingchuk (aka Gyachuk Wangchuk, 18), Gephel (aka Gendun 19) and Sashi (21) from Nubsur monastery in Serta (Ch: Seda) county when they staged a peaceful demonstration on June 28 at around 2 p.m. local time. The next day on June 29, at the wee hours (around 4 a.m.) thousands of armed police raided the Nubsur monastery and surrounded it. About half of the armed police broke into the quarters of Yingchuk and Sashi, pillaging and destroying whatever came their way. The quarters were razed to dust. The armed police also stormed in Gephel's quarter and robbed off his precious belongings and destroyed all other articles including religious texts. It is estimated that property worth 20 thousand Yuans have been destroyed during the raid, including the quarters. Even the timbers from the rubbles were not spared and taken to the county headquarters by the authorities.
 
A public notice disseminated by the Serta County authorities on June 29 charged the three monks (above named) of Nubsur monastery of having waved Tibetan Flag, distributed (anti-govt.) leaflets, shouted slogans demanding independence of Tibet and proclaimed that the monks would be fittingly punished for their illegal activities. The notice also blamed the Democratic Management Committee of the monastery for failing to control the monks while simultaneously asserting the need for reinvigoration of the patriotic reeducation of the monks according the laws. Those three monks who participated in the protests and anyone supporting them must be expelled from the monastery, the edict said. Those monasteries found to admit the expelled monks would be regarded as supporters of separatist forces and shall be dealt with accordingly, the notice had announced. 
 
A Tibetan youth injured after the Chinese security personnel opened fire during the Lhasa protest had died around end of June notwithstanding the treatments to save him. The youth identified as Anu (38) was a resident of Paljor Rabten Khang quarter in Lhasa and his parents were Rabgyal and Tsetan (both expired).

Another Tibetan called Namlang, who sustained multiples injuries following his arrest and beatings in the prison has died in May. Namlang was arrested while participating in the peaceful demonstration in March in Phenpo and had been denied initial medical assistance, which deteriorated his condition. He was later treated in the county hospital but to no avail. Namlang hailed from dZong Shol village in Phenpo Lhundrup county and was 42 years old. He is survived by his wife, two children aged 8 and 15 years respectively and his grandmother aged 82 years.
Conditions of two other Tibetans from the same county, who were injured during the above protest are said to be critical with little hope recuperation. One of them belongs to Loba Toe village while other is from Ding village, both in Phenpo Lhundrup county.
Report- Tibetan Solidarity Committee on 9 July 2008

Tight Restriction Increases on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Birthday in Tibet

{The Tibet Post International -07 July 2008} According to a reliable source, on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday on July 6, 2008, Chinese authorities increased their clampdown on the entire Tibetan plateau. The enormity of yesterday's restriction involved countless numbers of military deployment; stern scrutiny on every Tibetan; restaurants, stores and guest house force to remain closed.

These kind of actions are taking everywhere of county, particularly in Drakgo (Ch: Luhuo) county, Karze (Ch: Ganzi) Prefecture; Tibetans were prohibited from gathering in groups; and the sangsol performance (the auspicious burning incense ritual) was banned.

The restriction extended to foreigners as well. Two foreigners who came to Drakgo monastery yesterday were denied entry inside the monastery by Chinese authorities. Moreover, the two foreigners were pulled and dragged out of the monastery. Additional contingent of armies came to inspect the incident between the foreigners and the Chinese armies; however, they were under the influence of alcohol. Without any reasons, Drakgo monks were severely beaten by the authorities.

On July 3, 2008, Palden Nyendak, age 60, was found dead. Palden Nyendak was the father of Tsering Tsomo and Urgen Lhamo, two nuns of Wa-tag Samtenling Nunnery, who are still under Chinese detention for their affiliation in a peaceful demonstration. On July 2, Palden Nyendak was called in at Drakgo Police Station. During his interrogation, he was abashedly chastised by Chinese armies for the poor up-bringing of his two daughters (for merely peacefully protesting).

Our latest new finding information constitutes a protest led by 6 monks and laypeople on June 23, 2008 around 10:30 in the morning. One protestors identified is Ngodup Dorjee or Lhoba Shang, Karze county. His and his five friends were arrested after the protest and beaten mercilessly that their entire bodies were covered in blood. Slogans used in their demonstrations were, "Invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama back to Tibet," "We want religious freedom," "Equal opportunity of minorities" and "Tibetan belongs to the Tibetan."

Report:- Tibetan Solidarity Committee

China Has "Never Understood" Tibetan Culture, says His Holiness

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Photo: AFP {The Tibet Post International -09 July 2008}-Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Tuesday the Chinese government has never understood the heritage, culture and traditions of Tibetans. This is the root cause of all problems, but they are holding me responsible for this very fact.
 
His Holiness was talking to media during his visit to Ajmer city in the western state of Rajasthan to offer prayers at the Khawja Moinudeen Chisti Dargah on Tuesday, PTI reported.

Dismissing a Chinese government's proposal of restoring him powers upon his return to China, His Holiness emphasised that the issue of Tibet is the question of the future of six million Tibetans and not of his powers.

"Prior to the 1959 crisis, there was a 17-point agreement between Tibetans and Chinese government. As the then Communist government failed to comprehend the Tibetans' culture, the crisis aggravated," His Holiness said.

His Holiness recalled that though the Chinese government had softened its stand and became "liberal" in 1980, the favourable situation did not last long to reach a lasting solution.

His Holiness is expected to offer prayers at the tomb of the Sufi on Wednesday, the above news reported on Tibet net.

All the posts