Protests continue in Tibet: Leaflets warn of more protests, Chinese flag again pulled down/ENG

2012. február 14./Phayul.com/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA, February 14: Two Tibetans were arrested after leaflets warning of more ‘free Tibet protests’ were cited near a Chinese police station in Kardze Saturday.

Tashi Palden, 21 was arrested for raising slogans calling for a ‘Free Tibet’ and the ‘Long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ at the Kardze district market on Saturday at around 11 am local time.

"Within minutes of the protest, armed Chinese soldiers in the region arrested the Tibetan and started beating him with electric batons," exile Tibetans said citing contacts in the region.

Chinese security personnel also arrested a Tibetan business at the scene of the protest and severely beat him for witnessing Tashi Palden’s demonstration.

"Chinese soldiers wandering in the streets, arrested the Tibetan business man after beating him till he lost consciousness,” the US based Radio Free Asia reported.

China has tightened security in Kardze after self-immolations in Tawu and mass protests in Serthar and Drango last month were violently suppressed. Mass demonstrations have also been reported from Kyigudo and Nangchen areas where thousands of Tibetans demanded the return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

Elsewhere in Tibet, coinciding with the call for a global solidarity vigil for Tibet on February 8, Tibetans in Akhori town of Gyalrong in Amdo Ngaba region, pulled down all Chinese flags from government offices and hospitals in the town.

In a defiant message of freedom, Chinese flags have been pulled down in other parts of Tibet as well. Earlier this month, Tibetans in Wonpo town, Dzachukha pulled down a Chinese flag at a flag raising ceremony.

Protests have also been reported from Kyigudo town where a Tibetan monk Sonam Rabyang from the La Monastery in Tridu set himself on fire at the main road of La Township, Tridu County on February 8.

Approximately 200 people carried out a protest in the main square of Kyigudo town on Saturday, February 11.

Following the protests, Chinese security forces reportedly closed off the square and arrested some of the protestors.

More protests are being reported from the Gesar Square in Kyigudo town the following day.

Locals have described the situation in the town as “very tense”.

The fiery wave of self-immolations that has gripped Tibet for the last 11 months, has, off late witnessed an alarming increase in the rate at which Tibetans are ready to torch their bodies. Just in the last 13 days, six Tibetans have set their bodies on fire demanding the return of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom in Tibet.

Since Tapey’s self-immolation in 2009, 23 Tibetans have set themselves ablaze.
By Tendar Tsering