Sangay Trinley has recently escaped from Tibet and reached Dharamsala, India in January 2005. He reports that his son Lobsang Khendup from Kardze was arrested in 2003 after Tibetan New Year. Since his arrest from Kardze, his whereabouts has not been known.
Lobsang Khendup’s other name is Khega. He was born in 1983. He came to India in 1993, at the age of 10, and studied in Sera Monastery, South India for six years. He returned to Tibet in 2000 to meet his family. He was arrested and detained in Nyari Prison, Shigatse for four months. After his release he was able to meet his family members in Kardze. He left for Toe Gangri to meet his uncle and father who were staying there. On his way to Toe Gangri, he was arrested again and detained in Bhakor Police Station for four days. He was severely beaten and interrogated. His friend Trigay helped him to attain his release. After reaching Toe Gangri he met his father and uncle. With the help of his cousin he got a job as a translator in Ngari Guest house. While working in Ngari Guest House, he was arrested twice and interrogated in relation to his travel to India.
In 2002, the horse year, which is considered to be very auspicious, he went for a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. He had prepared Tibetan national flags with various colors. He put one Tibetan national flag at Dolma Peak and one at Lake Mansovara. Further, he engraved slogans relating to Tibetan independence on the slabs of rock near Mount Kailash. Later his father was warned by a friend who worked in the Police about Lobsang Khendup’s imminent arrest. His father and uncle sent him away. They told him to go to Kongpo, through Porog Gyalche Dzong and Lhasa. Lobsang Khendup’s father and uncle were subjected to interrogation after his escape.
In 2003, Lobsang Khendup, his father (Sangay Trinley) and his uncle met in Lhasa. They went to their hometown Kardze to celebrate Tibetan New Year with the whole family. After New Year, his uncle returned to Toe Gangri. One evening around 5 p.m., 30-40 policemen came to arrest Lobsang Khendup, at that time only father and son were at home since the rest of the family left for grassland with their animals. The entire house was thoroughly searched and 50 small portraits of the Dalai Lama, one Tibetan gun and 5 knives of various sizes were found. These family belongings were confiscated and Lonsang’s father was subjected to severe interrogation.
The next day, Lobsang’s father and the heads of the village, Tsenor and Yeshi Tsenor went to Kardze Police Station to inquire about the reason for the arrest of Lobsang Khendup. The Police said that he was arrested for his travel to India and also activities relating to politics. After 15 days, a policeman and woman came to Lobsang’s house. They told his family to bring a blanket and 600 yuan to the police station. Tsering Dhondup (Lobsang’s uncle) went to the police station and was able to give him a blanket and 100 yuan.
Not long after Sangay Trinley left for Toe Gangri to evade any threat of arrest. He met Sangay Dorjee, a former political prisoner in Toe Gangri. Sangay Dorjee was seriously ill at that time. Sangay Trinley helped him in providing medical assistance and hid him for more than 16 days. Later, they headed towards the Nepalese border and sometimes he carried Sangay Dorjee on his back since he was very ill. They stayed at the Nepalese border for 12 days. Sangay Dorjee was able to escape and reached India safely. Sangay Trinlay was compelled to escape to India since his son was in prison and because he had helped Sangay Dorjee escape. Sangay Trinley reached Dharamsala, India in January 2005. He has no knowledge of whereabouts of his son Lobsang Khendup and remained deeply concern about his son.
The Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet is gravely concerned about Lobsang Dhondup’s whereabouts and his condition.
For further information please contact guchusummt@yahoo.com
The Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet is an association formed by former political prisoners in 1991 with the main objective to continue the struggle for Free Tibet.
