By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, June 10: The Chinese authorities have started a campaign to demolish unapproved constructions along the coast of Tso Ngonpo or Qinghai Lake in Tanakma Township of Chabcha County in Tsolho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture since June 1.
The demolition drive, which has so far destroyed over 600 homes, shops and restaurants around the holy lake included properties of Tibetans, Muslims and Han Chinese. A source said that the demolition is expected to continue after the weekend.
“A third of these belonged to Tibetans, with the rest belonging to Muslims and Han Chinese,” the source told RFA on condition of anonymity, adding that the officials gave the reason that the constructions ‘being illegal’.
“However, the owners said that they had applied to officials for permits to build but had failed to pay them bribes, and that authorities had then turned down their applications,” the same source added.
To protest against such unjust act, five property owners, three Tibetans and two Muslims, challenged the destruction and were met with heavy beating by the local police and arrest. However, they were released a day later.
“We fear that neighboring areas like Chang Shikhuk, Hodon Yangtrang, and Chik Nga Chik may be the next targets of the government demolition plan,” he added.
It is a common thing for Tibetan landowners often being compelled to sell their properties to wealthy businessmen who pay bribes to local authorities to force the sale, according to the source.
The source said that it is “extremely rare to find even one county leader who is fair and reasonable” in his dealings with Tibetans. “Both officials and business owners exploit the land owned by the nomadic community.”
