Exiled Tibetan Administration: Complete one-week update on Tibet Protests

Chronological Information outlined below shows how pressure has been building up towards the current turmoil in Tibet.

On the 49th Tibetan National Uprising anniversary, about 7 monks staged a peaceful demonstration in the Barkhor area of Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, carrying three Tibetan national flags. As soon as the monks began to shout slogans, the public joined in to support them. But before it gained momentum, the Chinese police appeared at the scene arresting first the monks who started the protest and beating them fiercely.

Following this, the police ordered all the shops and street vendors in the Barkhor area to close down and dispersed the crowd, thus greatly affecting the lives of the commuters who were conducting their day-to-day activities. On the whole, the demonstration was put down by the Chinese government within a short period of time.

On 9 March, hundreds of banned portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama were confiscated from a number of homes in Jyekundo, (Ch: Yushu/Jiegu) "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture", Qinghai Province during a midnight raid conducted by local Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials. Two families were reportedly fined 500 Yuan each for possessing the banned portraits. The next day, pamphlets calling for Tibet's independence were known to have been pasted on the walls around the area.

In yet another incident, a protest has also been reported from the traditional Tibetan area of Amdo in Mangra County, Tsolho (Ch: Hainan) 'Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture' ("TAP") Qinghai Province on 10 March. About 137 monks from Lutsang Monastery in Mangra County, Tsolho "TAP" and around 200 laypersons from the area were barred by the Mangra County People's Armed Police (PAP) forces when they converged outside the County Assembly Hall where a government sponsored show was going on. Sensing a protest by the Tibetans, the show was forced to discontinue. Later monks and laypeople started shouting slogans "Long live Dalai Lama" and "The Dalai Lama should return to Tibet". At the moment there is no report of Tibetans having been arrested from the area, although, the concerned authorities are known to be investigating those involved in the protest.

On 10 March a group of around fifteen monks, later joined by two laypersons led a peaceful pro-Tibet march from Tsuklakhang Temple, proclaiming pro-independence slogans, distributing pamphlets and raising the banned Tibetan national flags at Barkhor Street in Lhasa. They were arrested immediately by the stationed Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials following a brief protest march on Barkhor Street - one of the busiest market areas around the city. The arrested Tibetans were reportedly beaten severely and manhandled by the PSB officials. Moreover, the shops and vendors around Barkhor Street were ordered to close and pack up. The detained monks were confirmed to be visiting student monks of Sera Monastery, mainly from the Kham and Amdo regions of Tibet. Additional contingents of armed forces were deployed to the area to issue an explicit warning to people against undertaking further protests as well as to control and monitor the activities of the people.

On 11 March, about 2000 strong Chinese troop fired tear gas in order to disperse hundreds of monks from Sera Monastery who were calling for the release of their fellow monks and shouting pro-Tibet slogans. The situation in Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery are known to be very tense at the moment with People's Armed Police forces sealing off the monasteries thereby completely curbing the people's movement in and out of the area, including protesting laypeople from visiting these monasteries. The 15 peaceful protestors are confirmed to have been arrested and their whereabouts are unknown.

According to sources within Tibet, on the evening of 10 March, about three hundred monks from Drepung Monastery, located on the outskirts of the capital, attempted to start a planned peaceful protest march towards Barkhor Street, Lhasa. However, they were obstructed from proceeding with their peaceful march by a large number of Chinese armed police before reaching Lhasa. A few monks from the group suspected to be the ringleaders were believed to be arrested by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials.

The situation in Drepung Monastery, where around 300 monks staged a peaceful demonstration on 10 March, is known to be very tense with authorities deploying additional People's Armed Police (PAP) forces into the area. There has been a similar deployment of armed forces including plain clothed police and agents reportedly present in and around Barkhor Street in Lhasa to deal with any protests.

In one incident, around 20 local Chinese officials convened a meeting of monks at Ditsa Monastery. However, around 70 monks walked out of the meeting carrying the portrait of the Dalai Lama and shouted pro-independence slogans. Later the monks proceeded towards a small hill behind the monastery to offer Sangsol Prayer (incense burning ceremony), and were later joined by onlookers. Open calls for solidarity with "the peace marcher from Dharamsala to Lhasa," initiated by leading exiled Tibetan NGOs, were even reportedly raised by the monks. A total of around four hundred people gathered for the prayer that day. No cases of arrest or detention of Tibetans are known from the area so far and there is no report of the Chinese sending additional police force to the area.

According to sources, since 10 March, sudden raids continue to be conducted in the homes of former political prisoners by the authorities looking particularly for any incriminating CDs such as the US Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama ceremony which have covertly been in circulation recently, or electronic goods particularly computers, phones and Internet connections.

Incidents of police removing pamphlets calling for Tibet's independence were reported from Labrang Tashikyil Monastery in Sangchu County, "TAP" incorporated into Chinese province of Gansu.

Karze (capital of Karze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, incorporated into Chinese province of Sichuan)

There are also reports of people having pasted pamphlets calling for Tibet's independence from Karze County, Karze "TAP" Sichuan Province on 10 March. So far there is no information on case of arrest or detention from the area.

On 11 March, the authorities of Lhasa City have recalled all the employees of various government departments who were on leave to return to work immediately and issued a restraint order banning taking leave. Restrictions were also imposed on the movement of students, including Tibet University students in Lhasa, with authorities increasing the vigilance personnel and keeping a record of student movements at the main entrance gate of the University.

Dabpa (Karze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province) We have confirmed reports that the three Tibetans shot by the Chinese Police were killed and at least ten people have been injured in the Dabpa protest. Instructions were given to shoot at the protestors since they were believed by higher Chinese authorities that they were engaging in "splittist activities."

Similarly, Gaden Monastery (about 50 Kms east of Lhasa City), remains sealed off and surrounded by People's Armed Police since yesterday afternoon, following the protest by monks.

On the morning of 12 March, coinciding with the Tibetan Women's Uprising Day, around a hundred Tibetan nuns from Chutsang Nunnery in the west side of Lhasa marched towards Barkhor Street for a peaceful demonstration. However, they were blocked by Chinese People's Armed Police from moving forward and sent back to their nunnery. There are no reports of arrest or detention after the march.

However, on the morning of 13 March, the same group of nuns from Chutsang Nunnery carried out their protest march towards Lhasa and have not yet returned to their monastery. On contacting the monastery, only a few senior nuns remain there.

Information coming out of Lhasa has confirmed that most of Lhasa has been surrounded by People's Armed Police (PAP) following a peaceful protest led by monks of the Ramoche temple in Lhasa this morning.

The local Foreign Bureau Office in Lhasa has issued a warning to NGO’s (especially those with links to the outside world) that any information given to foreigners regarding the protests in Tibet could result in strict legal action against the individual or even the shutting down of the NGO. The Foreign Bureau Office has also said that they have blocked the entry of foreigners into Tibet. The NGO’s have been specifically instructed by the Foreign Bureau office that the only contact they can have with foreigners is to assure them that the protests in Tibet will be stabilized very shortly. NGO’s were also warned that if they were found sending information through e-mails/using the internet for disseminating information on the current Tibet situation, then strict action would be taken against them. Also, just a few days ago, complete background information of foreigners involved with local NGO’s was collected by the local Foreign Bureau office.

There have been reports of people demonstrating in the streets of Karma Kunsang. Tear Gas was forcibly used against the peaceful demonstrators. In Labrang Tashikyil Monastery (Sangchu County, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) there have been major protests by mostly lay people. Atleast four people were taken into custody by the People’s Armed forces.

One reliable source has confirmed that a military truck full of unidentified dead bodies was seen being carried away towards Toelung county. Lithang (in Karze, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province) During minor protests, at least two of the protestors were arrested and taken into custody as confirmed by a source. The protests took place in Othok (under Lithang county) and few other villages in Lithang county. There were also protests in Sershul monastery (in Tawu county).

There was a protest held at Samye Monastery and Home Guards/Surveillance Police were called in from Lhasa to suppress the protest.

From 5000-6000 people took part in a major protest in Amdo that started around 11am and was led by mostly nomadic Tibetans. Among many other things, they were demanding for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The People’s Armed Police (PAP) used tear gas on the demonstrators.

There was a protest by monks and laypeople. Monks of Gaden Monastery, nearby monasteries and laypeople protested in front of the County headquarters. Additional Public Security Bureau (PSB) personnel were sent in from Lhasa to suppress the protestors.

Gaden Monastery remains under extremely strict Chinese military presence. The number of military personnel is so high that they are running out of tent space for their personnel.

There was shooting inside the compounds of Tashi Lhunpo monastery and at least 40 laypeople protesting behind the Tashi Lhunpo monasteries have been arrested as confirmed by one source.

Over 500 people have been arrested in Lhasa alone; however the numbers are expected to be astoundingly larger since all those arrested are being taken to prisons all over Tibet.

All media personnel (including foreign media) inside Tibet are being questioned and there are reports that their recorded materials (video footage, pictures) have been destroyed or confiscated.

Reliable sources have confirmed that at least 80 people were killed on 14th March 2008 in Lhasa. One very reliable source has confirmed that many of the dead bodies have been stashed in front of a Public Security Department office in Lhasa.

Kirti monastery, Amdo (Tibetan area incorporated into Chinese province of Sichuan)

Around 9:30 am this morning at Kirti Monastery which has remain completely sealed off by Chinese military, over a thousand monks fled the tight security (after two unsuccessful attempts earlier) and were joined by another thousand layperson-protestors outside the Monastery compound. Tear gas was used on the demonstrators and gun shots were heard according to a reliable source. We have confirmed reports that few of the protestors have been shot and killed by the People’s Armed Police during the protest.

Higher Chinese authorities have instructed Tibetan officials inside Tibet to not take part in any of the protests. Their movement has been restricted and they are required to sign in and out if they wish to leave outside their homes according to a reliable source.

Ragya Monastery, Machen County (Golog, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai province)

Protests were held by students, former Tibetan officials and laypeople in Machu County. The student protestors were arrested at the scene. In Luchu County (Kanlho, TAP) and Chabcha county (Tsolho, TAP) protests were also held.

Monks of Rongo Monastery held a major protest in the field in front of their monastery. Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials arrived to suppress the protestors. There was an attempt by the monastery head to placate the situation through dialogue with the Chinese officials who arrived at the scene. After the discussions the PSB personnel may have left the scene, however, this cannot be confirmed. The monks of Rongpo monastery are determined to continue on with the protest. No further details.

Protests were held by the monks of Pangsa monastery. Some of the monks were arrested; however, they were released later due to pressure from the lay people. Some of the monks who protested were able to run for safety towards a hill close by.

In China, around 500 Tibetan students of Northwest-Nationalities University started a hunger strike around 4pm local time at the campus ground.

Pangsa Monastery and Meldro Gongkar County (about 70kms from Lhasa) Today, thousands of protestors led by monks of Pangsa and other monasteries of Medro Gongkar held a massive protest. Seven People’s Armed Police (PAP) trucks full of police personnel which arrived at the scene was not able to suppress the protest and more PAPs continue to be arrive at the scene. All schools, shops and offices in the area were shut down.

Tsang Monastery, Yulgan County (Malho, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province)

A protest by over 500 monks of Tsang Monastery was held around 10AM this morning. Monks put up the Tibetan flag on the monastery rooftop and also carried the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama while protesting peacefully. The People’s Armed Police (PAP) has arrived to suppress the protestors however the protest continues.

Students protest in Machu County (Kanlho, Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province)

A protest was held by a massive number of student protesters in Machu County. All of the students present were arrested.

At Harthang monastery, Pelo Trulku (reincarnated lama) was suppose to give a spiritual teaching towards the end of February 2008. However, local Chinese "work teams" did not allow the teachings to take place, as a result, there was a scuffle between the local Tibetans and the Chinese "work teams". On 3rd March 2008, additional Chinese "work teams" were brought in and all Tibetans between the ages of 18-30 were forced to undergo "patriotic re-education." On March 14th the road connecting Nagchu to Lhasa was completely blocked off. Non-residents of Nagchu were forced to leave. From each household in Nagchu the names of each male individual was collected.

Around 100 unidentified people have been killed in the protests so far. In and around Lhasa, around 400 people have been injured.

http://www.tibet.net/en/flash/2008/0308/19A0308.html

18th March, 2008

Lhasa Crackdown Continues

In Lhasa suppression continues with tanks and military vehicles patrolling every corner of the city. Former political prisoners and suspected Tibetans (those politically active) living in the Lhasa area are being arbitrarily arrested in the ongoing house- by- house raid by Chinese security forces since the evening of 15th March 2008.

In desperation for complete crackdown, Chinese authorities are also arresting the family members of former long-time political prisoners (if they themselves are not physically present).

Machu County (Kanlho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Gansu province) - 19 killed in protests

During the protest in Machu County that continued from yesterday, People’s Armed Police (PAP) shot dead nineteen peaceful protesters this morning as confirmed by a source.

Karze County (Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province)- Protest Continues with growing intensity and size

Students and laypeople continue with their protest. According to latest information received, a massive protest is now happening in front of Karze County government headquarters.

Nearby monasteries have been completely blocked off by Chinese military since a few days ago to prevent the monks from taking part in the protests.

Labrang (Sangchu) County (Kanlho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Gansu province)- Protest held

Among the many things that there protestors were demanding, they asked for the release of Jigme Gyatso (political prisoner in Chushul prison "Tibet Autonomous Region," serving a seventeen year term).

Serthar County (Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province)- Crackdown on protesters

Protest continue in Serthar County however today there was a strong military crackdown on the protestors.

Chigdril County (Golog "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Chinghai province) - Protest held

Monks held a protest at Chigdril County.

17th March 2008

Toelung County (Lhasa) - Massive Protest held

Around 3pm local time, seven monks from Dhingkha monastery who were dressed in plain clothes started a protest on their way to Dechen town. Police personnel from Dechen town were not able to stop the determined monks from protesting and additional police personnel were called in from the County. The local people joined the protests after the County police tried to stop the protestors. People’s Armed Police was called in later from Lhasa after the protest grew in size and intensity. Around thirty of the protestors arrested were and treated very aggressively. Names of three of the arrestees can be confirmed as follows:

1) Samdup (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa).

2) Lobsang (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa).

3) Tsering Dolkar (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa).

Beijing Nationalities University, (Beijing)- Students Hold Protest

Tibetan students at Beijing National University held a protest. No further details available.

Tsoe Municipality (Kanlho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Gansu province) - Students Protestors beaten

Tibetan students who held a protest in Tsoe municipality were severely beaten by police and armed forces.

Kakhog (Marthang) County (Ngapa "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province) -Students protesters beaten

Tibetan Students from Kakhong County held a protest at their school campus. Chinese authorities were not able to hold back the student protestors who then marched to the County government headquarters. 30 of the student protestors were severely beaten and later arrested. The same evening students again held a protest.

Ngaba County ( Ngaba, "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province) - Nuns and laypeople protest

At 12pm local time, nuns from Ngatoe nunnery and laypeople carried the dead-bodies of those killed in the March 16th protest to the County government headquarters where they held a protest.

16th March, 2008

Lithang County (Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province) - Monks and laypeople protest

Monks and laypeople held a major protest held in Lithang County today. All schools, shops and offices have been forced to shut down for the next three days. On the morning of 17th March, police and army in huge numbers and heavily armed were seen patrolling all over.

Near Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Shigatse County, Shigatse Prefecture) - Protest held

A protest was held by laypeople near the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. No further details available.

Gepa Sumdo County (Tsolho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" in Qinghai province) - Protest held

The Tibetans of Gepa Sumdo County held a protest in which they carried the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan National flag. The army arrived at the scene to suppress the protest.

http://www.tibet.net/en/flash/2008/0308/19B0308.html

Wednesday, 19 March 2008, 3:10 p.m.

19th March 2008

Arbitrary arrests continue

In Lhasa, the main entrance to all residential complexes has been blocked off by the Chinese military. Households are raided every night and non-family members (even those with proper identification) are being arbitrarily arrested on the grounds that non-family members must have presumably taken part in recent protests.

According to BBC news, "A Chinese source with links to the security forces told the BBC that 600 monks had been flown overnight on military planes from Lhasa to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. The report could not be independently verified."

With such large numbers of Tibetans being arrested, and with some arrestees having to be flown outside of Lhasa, it can be inferred that prisons in Lhasa are overpopulated from all the recent arrests.

First the Police and now the Army

After the recent Lhasa protests grew in both size and intensity, a massive number of People’s Armed Police (PAP) continue to patrol the streets however more recently the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was brought in as additional reinforcement to suppress the protests.

Military presence increased in Border area

Around the border area of Tibet, there has been a huge build up of Chinese military to prevent people from secretly entering Tibet.

Four killed and fifteen arrested in Karze County (Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province)

Four people were killed and fifteen were injured in yesterday’s protest which was attended by around 400 people.

Among the four killed, two of the names can be confirmed:

1) Ngoga Chukhatsang (male)

2) Jamyang or Jamphel (monk, age 50)

Among those arrested in yesterday's protest, the following names can be confirmed:

1) Tsetan Phunstok (male, former prayer recitation leader of Karze monastery)

2) Chemi Gonpo (male)

3) Pema Dechen (she was severely injured during yesterday’s protest)

4) Gonpo (male, injured during protest)

5) Shao Mimi (female, around age 40, injured during during protest)

6) Tashi Palden (male)

7) Tsering Dorji (male)

8) Loyang

9) Sangpo

10) A fourteen-year-old monk from Tsetsung monastery.

During the protest held in Karze County on 17th March the names of two monks( among others who were arrested) can be confirmed. They are:

1) Jampa Thupten (former head of Karze Dhargye monastery)

2) Tenzin Namgyal (from Karze Dhargye monastery)

17th March 2008

Many arrested at Toelung County (Lhasa)

Around 3pm local time, sixteen monks from Dhingkha monastery who were dressed in plain clothes started a protest on their way to Dechen town. Police personnel from Dechen town were not able to stop the determined monks from protesting and additional police personnel were called in from the County. The local people joined the protests after the County police tried to stop the protestors. People’s Armed Police was called in later from Lhasa after the protest grew in size and intensity. Around thirty of the protestors were arrested and treated very aggressively. Three of the names (laypeople) can be confirmed as follows:

1) Samdup (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa).

2) Lobsang (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa).

3) Tsering Dolkar (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa).

Also, among the thirty arrested we can confirm that twelve of them were monks from Dhingkha monastery. Five names can be confirmed as follows.

1) Ngawang Ignyen (born in Dechen town, Toelung County)

2) Jigme (born in Dechen town, Toelung County)

3) Ngawang Tenphel, former name Kalsang Dawa (born in Dechen town, Toelung County)

4) Karma Dawa (born in Yangpachen, Damshung County, Lhasa) 5) Ngawang Thakchoe

Arrests in Damshung County (Lhasa)

Eight monks of Khangmar monastery were arrested during a sizable peaceful demonstration. No further details.

Around 2000 military personnel brought into Gyalthang County (Dechen "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" Yunnan province)

Fearing a ripple effect from the recent Lhasa protests, around 2000 People’s Armed Police (PAP) personnel was brought into Gyalthang County from Kunmin city (Dechen "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Yunnan province). The PAP has been on 24-hour surveillance and patrol.

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