By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, July 17: China has released a Tibetan monk, arrested on March 18, 2012, for his involvement in a protest against the Chinese government in Gepasumdo County in Tsolho, Qinghai Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
Tenzin Rangshar had served two years of imprisonment in Qinghai prison from where he was released on July 14.
On his arrival in Gepasumdo County center, Rangshar was welcomed by monks of Ba Shingtri monastery and local Tibetans; however relatives and his friends have expressed concerns over his health.
Exile Tibetans allege that China recently released a number of Tibetan political prisoners in poor health, with one even succumbing to his injuries after release, to avoid custodial deaths.
Last week, a monk of Serthar Larung Ngarig monastery Ngagchung was released in poor health and impaired vision after six years’ imprisonment.
In October, 2013, Goshul Lobsang, 43, was released in an “extremely poor health” on medical parole. However, exile Tibetans said that the authorities were simply trying to avoid his death in their custody. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy confirmed the death saying Lobsang succumbed to torture injuries he suffered at the hands of prison authorities.
