By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, April 4: A Tibetan has reportedly committed suicide reportedly to escape from torture in Tsangshul detention center in Markham County in Chamdo prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region, according to the Radio Free Asia.
“He was severely beaten and tortured while in detention, and became desperate that he ended his life,” a Tibetan source told the RFA. However, it is still not clear how he committed suicide.
He was arrested just days before the anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day (March 10) this year. The Chinese government authorities imposed the Internet blockade and restriction on all communication modes in the region making it hard for the news of his death to reach the outside world.
“The Internet has been blocked in Markham County for quite some time, and it has been difficult to get more information on why Tashi was detained by the police,” the source said.
The news of Tashi’s death angered the local Tibetans, which led to a group of Tibetans carrying out a protest against the authorities in front of the Chinese police station. The source also confirmed that authorities arrested those who were seen in police video.
“All Tibetan businessmen and women working outside Markham have now been ordered to return to their homes within 15 days,” he added. The number of Tibetans taken into custody for protesting his death is also not clear.
“Members of government task forces assigned to different areas of Markham are now investigating and monitoring the activities of Tibetan families,” he added.
