Mystery Surrounds the Fate of Five Tibetan Monks Arrested by Chinese Police
asianews.it
Three young monks were detained on 12 August; two more were taken 16 August. All were arrested in their monastery. Police action stems from their alleged involvement in recent self-immolation. The TCHRD reports a situation of extreme tensions.
The fate of five young monks detained during night raids at the Gyalrong Tsodun Monastery in Barkham County (Ngaba, Sichuan Province) remains unknown. Lobsang Sangay, 19, Yarphel and Namsay, both 18, were taken into custody by security personnel on 12 August 2012 from their cells. Nothing is known of their current condition and whereabouts. On Thursday, two more monks, Thupwang Tenzin, 20, and Asong, 22, were also taken from the same Buddhist monastery.
Sources told Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD that the monks were arbitrarily detained on the suspicion that they were involved with the recent self-immolation protests that occurred at Tsodun Monastery in March and August this year. However, it is not clear on what charges were laid against the five young monks. There is also no information on where they are being held.
Last Monday, two young monks set themselves on fire to protest against Beijing. In view of the situation, Chinese authorities have increased their security presence and enhanced surveillance around Tsodun monastery, which is home to about 300 monks.
