DHARAMSHALA, MARCH 17: Two Tibetan monks have been arrested in Sog County by Chinese authorities on March 13 this year, said Ngawang Tharpa, a Tibetan exile with contacts in the region. The two monks belonged to the Drilda monastery where the Great Monlam prayers was underway.
The monastery was surrounded by armed security forces on Sunday, the 15th day of the Tibetan New Year, or the Choenga Choepa prayers.
Lobsang Dhargay, 19, and Lungtok Gyaltsen, 18, had gone to Chungma town to buy groceries required for the monks during prayers. The two were held while returning from their shopping on suspicion of being involved in a graffiti reading “Tibet is an independent” on an iron bridge near the town.
Tharpa also told Phayul that Chinese authorities have stepped up surveillance and security around the bridge. The authorities are strictly monitoring all movements and intercepting communication lines.
In another incident, two youth from dwelling no.2 of Triru village in Sog have been arrested for sharing lyrics of a song by popular Tibetan singer Sherten, known for his hugely popular song, ‘thundril’ (Unity), said Tharpa. Tsering Samphel, 18 year old son of Tenyang, and Norbu Wangdaktsang’s son Bhudrak, were held in an undisclosed location, according to the same source.
