Dharamsala, Feb. 10 – The Lhoka Intermediate People’s Court sentenced nine Tibetan monks to various prison terms ranging between 2 and 15 years for their participation in the nationwide protests that led to several deaths and arrests last year since March, reported the Dharamsala based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.
The monks, according to TCHRD, participated in a protest on 15 March 2008 at the Samye government administrative headquarters in Dranang County (Ch: Zhanang xian), Lhoka (Ch: Shannan) Prefecture, “TAR”. They were later detained at Lhoka Public Security Bureau (PSB) Detention Centre. The centre says it could not confirm the exact dates of the sentencing but cited its source as saying that the sentencing took place around May or June 2008.
Work Teams arrived at Samye monastery to interrogate the monks on March 19, 2008. A visiting teacher from Dorjee Drak Monastery who taught Buddhist scriptures at the Samye Monastery committed suicide, according to the centre. Namdrol Khakyab from Nyemo County, Lhasa Municipality, “TAR,’ had left a note before killing himself taking responsibility of the protests.
Four out of the nine monks sentenced were visiting teachers from other monasteries. Tenzin Bhuchung of Langthang Monastery was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment; Tenzin Zoepa of Jowo Monastery to 13 years’ imprisonment term; Gelek of Sang Ngag Choekor Monastery to 2 years in jail and Ngawang Tenzin of Khathok Monastery to 2 years in jail.
The five monks of Samye monastery are Gyaltsen who was sentenced to jail term of 15 years, Nyima Tashi and Phuntsok to 13 years, Tenzin Dawa and Rigden to 2 years in prison.
NOTE Reports of Tibetans being sentenced to various prison terms for last year’s protests are emerging through various sources. We request our readers to contact us at editor@phayul.com or 01892 220932 if you have any information.
