China sends additional military forces to contain the situation in Nyachuka

Fridday, December 11, 2009

TCHRD
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According to the latest information received from reliable sources, the situation in Nyachuka County (Ch: Yajiang xian ), Kardze “TAP”, Sichuan Province remains extremely tense with reports of Chinese authorities sending additional convoys of military forces to the area to contain the volatile situation. Since December 5, people from all walks of life in Nyachuka county has been staging peaceful protests and petitioning the Chinese authorities for the immediate release of well known local spiritual figure Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.

According to sources, a large number of Tibetans have been stationed in Nyachuka County government headquarters since 5 December to appeal the government for the immediate release of their spiritual figure who have been in jail since 2002 for alleged involvement in a series of bombing incident in Kardze County. As the situation turned tense, all the shops and restaurants in Nyachuka remained closed making petitioners difficult to find food, to exacerbate the problem locals supporters from Othok, Golok and other villages were barred from moving to the county to deliver food. The Chinese authorities in the area are known to have issued ultimatum for the protesters to retreat by 3: PM tomorrow (10 December) or face arrest.

The names of the Tibetans injured after security forces brutally beaten in the protest are as follows: Gawa Tsering Dhondup, Gothok Toe, Dhukar Tsering, Dhondhu, Ashar, Lodhon, Ageh, Ngadey, Jamtrin, Druk Gyathar, Sherab Dolma (nun), Drade (nun), Chodrak, Kyebo Tsering, Nyandrak, Gyagay Kepo, Aka Dorjee, Drode, Truma Tsering, Lhama Chodruk. Of these Sherab Dolma (nun), Drade (nun), Lhama Chodruk and Ashar were left with broken legs.

On 2 December 2002, the Kardze Intermediate People's Court in the Kardze “ Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture”(‘TAP’), Sichuan Province, had sentenced Lobsang Dhondup, a relative of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, to death for "inciting separatism", "causing explosions" and "illegal possession of guns and ammunition". He was executed on January 26, 2003, despite huge international outcry.

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche received a death sentence with a two year reprieve for "causing explosions" and "inciting separatism". Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, based at a monastery in nomad-dominated Othok, was granted a two-year reprieve, then had his sentence commuted to life in 2005.

Event:

On 5 December 2009, a group of seven Tibetans which later swelled to around sixty Tibetans, mostly youth from Othok proceeded to Nyagchuka County government headquarter to appeal for an immediate release of Tulku Tenzin Delek, stating that their revered spiritual teacher was wrongly charged and sentenced by the Sichuan Higher People’s Court in 2002.

It was on the night of 5 December 2009, petitioners who gathered at County government headquarters for the entire day were rounded up and taken to an unknown location.

Sources told TCHRD on the morning of 6 December 2009, motorbikes and clothes belonging to petitioners were left unattended with bloodstains. There were also bloodstains on ground as well. The petitioners are largely believed to be detained in a military compound near Nyachuka County.

Thereafter Tibetans from various parts of Nyachuka County have been flocking to Nyachuka County government headquarter to obtain the release of around sixty Tibetan detainees. However Chinese security forces on the way stopped them from reaching the County Headquarter. Meanwhile a fairly large contingent of People’s Armed Police (PAP) has been brought to place called Thang Karma (White Open Field) practicing martial acts and military drills to intimidate the local Tibetans.

Meanwhile, sources say that many elderly Tibetans and children has been going to the Chinese government Township office at Thang Karma (White Open Field) to appeal to the Chinese government to release Tulku Tenzin Delek.

Despite their petitions, Chinese officials have been turning their deaf ears to their sincere and legitimate call. Nonetheless, the local Tibetans are still holding on to their hopes for an immediate release of their revered spiritual figure.

THE CONTENT OF PETITIONThe main content of the petition dealt on describing Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche as their much loved and revered spiritual teacher, immensely important to the local Tibetans. Tulku also being described as a guide, teacher, father figure to them, particularly local Tibetans sought his advice on a range of matters concerning their livelihood. In their appeal they stated that Tulku used to mediate in many land and pasture disputes amongst the local nomads. In his absence in the last seven years, there have been many disputes over land and pasture ownerships, which led to deaths of several Tibetans. They also described that Tulku’s absence has been keenly felt and that they are too eager to feel the spiritual presence of Tulku. They also described that they need a spiritual guide who could perform religious rites for Tibetan devotees, particularly to perform Phowa (transferring of consciousness) rite related to guiding the consciousness of dead people in their journey to the next lives. They also explained that to regain peace and harmony once existed in the locality, Tulku must be released and once again be amongst them.