Home > News Archive > Hundreds detained in Lhasa ahead of Tibetan uprising

Hundreds detained in Lhasa ahead of Tibetan uprising

By Lobsang Wangyal

Exile Tibetan boys during a candle light procession protesting the detention of about 500 Tibetans in Lhasa since the launch of “Strike Hard” campaign in Tibet Autonomous Region on 2 March, in Mcleod Ganj, India, 5 March 2010.Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India

Exiled Tibetans and their supporters in Mcleod Ganj marched in a candle light vigil to protest the detention of hundreds of Tibetans and the launch of “Strike Hard” campaign in Tibet Autonomous Region ahead of the anniversary of the Tibetan uprising on 10 March.

Security forces have detained more than 400 Tibetans in Lhasa city alone since the launch of the “Strike Hard” campaign on 2 March, according to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

At least 435 people have been detained after police raided guest houses, internet cafés, entertainment centres and bars, China’s state run website www.chinatibet.com reported on 4 March. Among the detainees, a handful are said to have been apprehended on charges of burglary. No reasons were provided about the remaining people detained.

Lhasa city public security bureau deployed 1,134 of its personnel and more than other 300 security forces for the raids.

According to TCHRD sources, in the past few days the movement of monks from three major monasteries — Drepung, Gaden and Sera — in and around Lhasa city were restricted for an indefinite period. However, the staff members of these monasteries who are in charge of food supplies were said to have been given special permit by the authorities to perform their duties.

To spur up further restriction and crackdown on potential dissent ahead of sensitive anniversary, Lhasa Neighbourhood Committee under the Lhasa Metropolitan area had formed a new “security escort staff” in each and every sub-districts since 1 March. This new body will work in conjunction with the local public security officials.

The primary objective of this new body was cited as to maintain social order, thorough inspection and tracking down of suspects, and detaining those without “three nos” namely: identity card, household registration card (Ch: Hukou) and temporary stay permit.

TCHRD believes that the Chinese authorities are using the “Strike Hard” campaign as double-edged sword to fight crimes and uphold stability as stated objective but at the same time it is using this campaign to silence, intimidate and stifle political dissent ahead of sensitive Tibetan uprising anniversary.

Tibetans around the world will commemorate the 10 March 1959 uprising against the Chinese invasion of their country on Wednesday.

Anti-China protests broke out in the Tibetan capital Lhasa on 10 March 2008, the 49th anniversary of the failed uprising against the Chinese rule. The protests later spread to the neighbouring provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and Yunan provinces. All have Tibetan populations. Tibetans say more than 200 Tibetans were killed in the subsequent crackdown, whereas China says around 20 people were killed by Tibetan rioters.

Copyright © 2010 Tibet Sun

Published in Tibet Sun