Tibetan youths protest for monk's release, several arrested

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Phayul
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Tenzin Delek Rinpoche/undated

Dharamsala, December 8 - An unknown number of Tibetans have been detained in Sichuan following a protest demanding the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a Tibetan Lama jailed in 2002 for alleged involvement in a series of bombings in Kardze County, the Radio Free Asia reported.

Though the exact number of Tibetans detained Saturday ( December 5, 2009) is unclear it could well exceed 150, RFA reported citing a source in exile who has been in contact with witnesses.

"About 60 Tibetans, mostly youths from Othok, went to Nyakchukha county center and appealed for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche," the source told RFA citing contact with several witnesses.

"When they reached the county center, security forces assaulted and detained them. Their motorbikes were smashed and dumped into army vehicles. When other Tibetans learned about the incident, more Tibetans arrived from the Golok and Othok areas," he added.

"The Chinese forces put up roadblocks, but many Tibetans climbed hills and moved towards the county. My sources said there are nearly 500 Tibetans, both male and female. Some said that about 160 were detained."

Another source from nearby Lithang told RFA that 60-70 protesters were being held at a newly built detention center located about four miles (6.5 kms) from the Nyakchukha county center.

There is currently a strong presence of Chinese security forces in both Nyakchukha and Lithang, according to the source.

A group of Tibetans from Golok and Othok had traveled to Beijing to petition for Tenzin Delek Rinpoche's release but were detained and beaten, said another source, citing contacts with witnesses.

"When they were brought back to the county center, other local Tibetans stood up in support of those who were severely beaten," the source was quoted by RFA as saying.

"A group of Tibetan youths from the Othok area arrived at the county center on motorbikes. They were also attacked, and the security forces took away all the motorbikes in two army trucks. Several of them were detained and loaded in vehicles," he said.

"I was told many Tibetans who could not be detained are being blocked and surrounded by security forces in a valley not far from the County center."

On 2 December 2002, the Kardze Intermediate People's Court in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, 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.