Dharamshala — Two Tibetan Buddhist monks from Ngaba county of eastern Tibet have 'disappeared' in connection with protests of a land grab after their detention by Chinese authorities, in August 2016.
Lobsang Sherab, 35 and Gedun Dakpa, 39, from Thangkor Socktsang Monastery, were arbitrarily detained by Chinese police in Thangkor Town, Dzoege in Ngaba County of north-eastern Tibet, August 24, 2016. Dakpa was the treasurer at his monastery and had no prior criminal record. Sherab was a worker at the monastery's store. He was arbitrarily detained by Chinese security personnel and they also threatened other monks, one of whom was severely injured.
Sources indicate that both monks were likely detained on suspicion that they shared information with outsiders about peaceful protests staged by Tibetan nomads against government land seizures in Ka Bharma Village in Thangkor Town. It has been almost two months since the monks have been taken to an undisclosed location. Family members and relatives have no information about their whereabouts.
In August, Chinese authorities detained a Tibetan monk following his protest against an illegal land grab by Chinese authorities in Sershul County of eastern Tibet. The source said that the Tibetan monk known as Lobsang Soepa carried a large sign with writings in Tibetan and Chinese that read, "The grassland in Wonpo township's Village No. 2, in Sershul County should be distributed in accordance with the law." "The grassland should be returned to the locals living on the land, without any bias."
In May, Hundreds of Tibetans in Khanya Township (Ch: Kaniang), Drakgo County (Ch: Luhuo), just signed a petition to plead with the local government to investigate the severe living condition in the township of Kham region, eastern Tibet, as apparently Tibetans who live in rural areas are still facing deepening poverty in the face of China's so-called economic prosperity.
According to local contacts, the Chinese government has deliberately ceased poverty alleviation and construction projects in Khanya Township since 2008, which has left the township in extreme poverty ever since. Collapsing roads in the raining season and snow-sealed mountain passes in the winter have trapped villagers in the mountains for several times. Food and accommodation in the township were in serious shortage during these natural disasters, while the government remains unresponsive.
In the same month, more than 100 Tibetans have protested against Chinese mining operations at a site considered sacred by local Tibetan residents, drawing a large police force to the area and prompting fears of clashes. Sources said that "the ongoing mining has led to toxic wastes being dumped into the river resulting in the death of a large number of fish."
"About 100 local Tibetans then gathered in Yulshok Gargye to demand an end to the project and calling for urgent action to protect environment and wildlife," the sources added. The locals have engaged in shouting slogans "there is no rule of law for the Communist Party" and saying they lied to us, they cheated on us, they betrayed us and have broken promises.
In 2013, Dozens of Tibetans were arrested by the Chinese authorities in protest against rampant land grabbing in Kyegudho, Kham region of eastern Tibet, where the devastating earthquake that hit the area in 2010 killed thousands of people. Locals were disappointed as the natural disasters not only affected the people in the area, but reportedly Chinese failed policies indirectly also affected the remaining family members during recovery. Over 21 Tibetans were arrested after hundreds of locals in Kyegudho, protested against these Chinese government policies. A Tibetan woman had set herself on fire in 2012, reportedly protesting against illegal land grabbing by Chinese authorities.
Tibet was invaded by Communist China, starting in 1949, Beijing calls a "peaceful liberation". Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— the acts of murder, rape and arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet. But, authorities in Beijing still claim that "China 'peacefully liberated' Tibet, and that the Tibetans are living in a "Maoist socialist paradise."
