DHARAMSHALA, December 20 : Hundreds of monks in Nangchen walked with placards and banners demanding the release of an abbot of a monastery in the area who was arrested on the night of Dec. 6 in Chengdu, a Tibetan source said.
“Please look at the anguish of students separated from their teacher,” reads a banner carried by the monks.
Sources earlier reported that Khenpo Kartse, the abbot of Jhapa monastery, was released after a brief arrest. However, it turns out that he has not been released as reported earlier. He had made a phone call after his arrest informing his followers about his arrest.
Chamdo police arrested Khenpo Kartse from Chengdu where he had traveled with regard to a purchase of a new idol for his monastery. His whereabouts remain unknown.
The monks and local Tibetans were confronted on their way to the local Chinese government headquarters by top county officials who assured the protestors that Khenpo shall be released soon, said the source. The protestors, therefore, stopped their protest and returned home, added the source.
