By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, February 3: A Tibetan political prisoner was released on January 22, four years before completion of his prison term of eleven years.
Phakpa returned to his home in Ngame Ajong Township in Ngaba County in the Ngaba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture after his release in traditional Tibetan attire, his mouth covered by a white mask with a black cross on it.
A Tibetan source said he wore the mask to indicate Chinese authorities’ order not to speak about his experiences in jail.
The local Tibetans who respect Phakpa as a “hero and leader of Ngame Ajong township” welcomed him with Tibetan ceremonial scarves (khatak) and celebrated his return for two days.
Phakpa was jailed for his participation in the 2008 nationwide protests in Tibet.
