Posted on 03/26/2008 7:41:05 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
24 March 2008 [For Immediate Release]
One shot dead and another in critical condition in Drango protest
According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), at least one Tibetan protester was shot dead and another left in critical condition following indiscriminate firing by the People's Armed Police on the protesting Tibetans in Drango County, Kardze "Tibet Autonomous Prefecture" today afternoon.
At around 2:00 pm (Beijing Standard Time), a peaceful protest was initiated jointly by the monks of Chokri Monastery and nuns of Ngyoe-go Nunnery of Drawo Township, Drango County (Ch: Luhuo Xian), Kardze "Tibet Autonomous Prefecture" ("TAP"), Sichuan Province, in eastern Tibet which was later joined by the common citizens of Drawu Township. Around 200 protestors headed towards the township government headquarters chanting slogans "long live the Dalai Lama", "Independence for Tibet" and "freedom for Tibet".
According to multiple sources within Tibet, when the protesters were marching towards the township headquarters, a large number of People's Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers came to the scene to quell the agitated protestors. In the process, a clash occurred between the two sides, soon the Chinese security forces started firing live ammunitions indiscriminately into the protesting crowd, which led to the dead of at least one monk and left another in critical condition. The dead Tibetan is identified as Kunga, a 18-year-old monk of Chokri Monastery, Drango County (Ch: Luhuo xian), Kardze, "TAP". Tsewang Dhondup, 30-year-old monk from the same monastery is known to be in critical condition after being shot by Chinese security forces. According to sources within Tibet, many doubt if he could survive the gun shot injury. No further information on the exact number of dead, injured or arrest could be ascertained at the moment. TCHRD fears more cases of death would surface as many rounds of gunfire were shot into the protestors. The Centre will issue further updates as the situation progresses.
Earlier on 18 March a similar protest broke out in Kardze which led to the dead of at least three Tibetans and left 15 injured following armed police indiscriminate firing on the protesters.
TCHRD condemns in strongest terms the Chinese security agencies' use of brute force on the peaceful Tibetan demonstrators. The Centre will update on the situation as and when more information surfaces from the area.
Ping!
bttt
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.