DHARAMSHALA, February 26: Over the fear of self-immolation protest at large public gathering, Chinese Armed Forces have imposed heavy restriction and strict surveillance on Tibetan disciples in Rebkong who have come to attend the Monlam Chenmo (The Great Prayer Festival) which began on February 20.
According to Sonam, a Tibetan living in Switzerland, a large number of Chinese armed forces were deployed in the region and were taking round ups with fire extinguisher at Dolma square in front of Rongwo monastery, bridge, streets and a public gathering places during day and night.
“The Chinese armed forces on their vehicle also makes announcement and gave out notices on self-immolation protests in the streets,”
“A heavy restriction was imposed on around ten thousand Tibetans including monks and nuns who have come to attend the Monlam Chenmo (prayer festival) in the past two days from various parts of Tibet,”
Due to the strict surveillance on the Tibetan disciples, they were “under lots of fear”.
A leader was appointed in a group of every 30 people who were assigned to check upon activities which can create disharmony among the nationalities, indulging in political-related conversation and to inform the Chinese authorities if such activities were found.
Chinese authorities have reportedly made every possible effort to “forbid” the Monlam Chenmo.
Moreover, on February 20, around 25 Tibetan monks and nuns from Sershul monastery in Kardze who were in Rebkong for the prayer festival were restrain from their stay in hotel and were made to move to Siling city at 11pm.
“The reasons for imposing heavy restrictions and strict surveillance on Tibetans were because of the Chinese authorities fear over the happening of self-immolation protest during a large public gathering.”
In 1732, His Eminence the second Ngawang Thrinley Gyatso first started the Monlam Chenmo in Rebkong and has been continuing from the last 230 years.
Till now, as many as 11 Tibetans have set themselves on fire in Rebkong. Jamyang Palden became the first Tibetan to self-immolate in Rebkong.
Jamyang Palden set himself ablaze at Dolma square in front of Rongwo monastery. The Tibetans present at the site took him to a hospital but brought him back to the monastery to rescue him from falling into the hands of Chinese security personnel.
After six months of his fiery protest, he succumbed to his injuries in his monastery quarter.
Since 2009, as many as 105 known Tibetans living under China’s rule have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
