Dharamshala — Chinese authorities in Karze County of eastern Tibet reportedly detained at-least five Tibetans and beat them severely, after two separate self-immolation protests against China's heavy-handed controls on people of Tibet.
According to the sources, five Tibetans have been detained and severely beaten by Chinese police in eastern Tibet for their alleged role in one of two self-immolation protests, occurred recently in Karze County of eastern Tibet.
"The five Tibetans, names of the two detained from Karze County Tonship are unknown and three from Nyakrong County, were identified as Konchok Gyaltsen, Nyima Tsering, and Tsering Gyatso." The sources said "two of the detainees were later released, but one still held in police custody."
Before setting himself on fire, "Tseten had called the three, saying his phone could be found from a lady, Another source said, adding they were detained over the mobile phone of Tseten. The Chinese police took the phone away and the three have no idea about what material was contained on it."
No further details of other detainees' whereabouts or their current condition are known.
Two Tibetan men self-immolated in separate protests, China's repressive rule in Tibet, Pema Gyaltsen, 24-year old youth and Wangchuk Tseten in his 30s reportedly have set themselves on fire, in March and April.
Both events took place in Karze County township in traditional Kham Province of eastern Tibet, source said, the latest self-immolations to highlight China's repressive rule in Tibet and its harsh treatment of the peaceful Tibetan people.
Tibetan man who set himself alight on April 15, over China's rule in Tibet died of his injuries, sources told TPI on Monday, bringing the total number of self-immolations in Tibet to nearly 150 and most of them have been confirmed dead from their severe burn injuries.
Tibetans have self-immolated in protest in Tibet since 2009, starting in Ngaba County, a focal point for political demonstrations against China's rule. Many of the initial self-immolations were carried out by Buddhist monks, but a growing number of laypeople, including nomads and farmers, have since taken part.
Tibet was invaded by the Communist regime in China, starting in 1949. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed— Crimes against Humanity and Genocide include murder, massacres, torture, rape, starvation, extreme deprivation, forced marches, enslavement, brutal violence, and systematic extermination. Beijing continues to call this a 'peaceful liberation', that the "Tibetans are living in a Maoist socialist paradise."
