DHARAMSHALA, December 27: Chinese authorities have detained sixteen Tibetans including monks for their involvement in a protest on Dec. 18 demanding the release of Khenpo Kartse, who was arrested on the night of December 6 in Chengdu.
The Tibetans were arrested on Dec. 21 in Nangchen and taken away to Yushu (in Tibetan, Kyegudo) county center.
Khenpo Kartse was arrested by Chamdo Police from Chengdu where he had traveled with regard to a purchase of a new idol for his monastery.
Hundreds of monks and lay people in Nangchen walked with placards and banners demanding the release of the abbot. “Please look at the anguish of students separated from their teacher,” read 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 had not been released as reported earlier. He had made a phone call after his arrest informing his followers about his arrest.
