1 June 2008: Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County, Ngaba “TAP”, Amdo (incorporated into Chinese province of Sichuan) – Kirti monastery in danger of not having any monks
Since June 1, monks of Kirti monastery, in Ngaba County, started leaving their monastery for not being able to bear the severe restrictions imposed on the monastery by Chinese authorities.
Due to widespread protests all over the three traditional province of Tibet, the Chinese authorities have imposed severe restrictions on most of the monasteries, including Kirti monastery, with the deployment of their People’s Armed Police (PAP) personnel. Monks are being arrested and beaten, their quarters are raided, and “patriotic re-education” campaigns are strengthened upon them.
Since March 20, the monks of Kirti monastery are being forced to undergo “patriotic re-education” in eight groups. As a part of the “patriotic re-education”, the monks are made to provide their signatures or thumb impressions indicating their opposition to the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan people in exile, and particularly, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They are forced also to fly the Chinese flag on the monastery rooftop as a mark of their loyalty to the Communist Party.
All the monks of Kirti monastery, not being able to bear these repressions, stopped participating in the so-called patriotic re-education since June 1. From the evening of June 2 till the morning of next day, all the monks, except few senior monks above 70 years of age, have fled the monastery.
Lhasa – A strong contingent of PAP deployed
Since June 1, Chinese authorities have tightened restrictions in Lhasa with the deployment of an additional strong contingent of PAP personnel. People of the surrounding counties are also not being allowed to travel to Lhasa by their respective authorities.
Recently on May 24 and also on June 2 & 3, some Tibetan people expressed their frustration at those Tibetans (shop owners and street vendors) for resuming their businesses as reported earlier. Later, many posters were seen repeatedly pasted, mainly at Barkhor Square and other areas, conveying the message that people should neither visit the sacred shrines nor open up their shops, which if done then the Chinese government will show to the outside world stability has been restored. The possibility of staging more protests by people has led the Chinese authorities to tighten restrictions.
Tibetan people in Lhasa are neither visiting the sacred shrines nor going for lingkhor (big circumambulation of Potala Palace and surrounding temples) and continue to remain in their homes.
No Specific Date
Lhasa – March 14 Lhasa protestors continue to arrest
Some of the protesters of March 14 protest in Lhasa, who were released in early May, were again arrested at the end of same month.
However, some arrestees, who were suspected of their involvement in the protest, are being released by forcing them to furnish information of those involved in the Lhasa protests. Some are even given monetary incentives for this purpose. Through this way, Chinese authorities still continue to arrest people involved in the protest.
Lhasa – One more person killed during March 14 protest identified
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Lhasa – Details of two people killed during March 14 protest identified
1) As reported earlier about the death of Tenzin, we can now confirm her details. Her full name is Tenzin Dolkar, age 21. Her father’s name is Karma Phuntsok. She was born in Kyongpa village in Gurum Township, Toelung Dechen (Ch: Duilongdeqing) County, under Lhasa Municipality. She was shot dead during March 14 Lhasa protest in front of Tsuklakhang Temple.
2) As reported earlier about the death of Penpa, we can now confirm his details. He was a 21-year monk and born in Toe Village in Gurum Township, Toelung Dechen (Ch: Duilongdeqing) County, under Lhasa Municipality. Name of his father is (late) Tseley and mother is Dadon. He was formerly from Tsurphu monastery, and later shifted to Neynang monastery from where he achieved the title of lama. He was shot dead during the protest in Lhasa on March 14.