By Tendar Tsering
DHARAMSHALA, September 19: A Chinese court has sentenced three monks of Kirti monastery to varying prison terms, according to Kanyag Tsering, a monk at the exile based Kirti monastery here.
22-year old Lobsang Dhargye, brother of Phuntsok who died after setting himself ablaze in an anti-China protest in March this year, and Tsekho, 30, were sentenced to two and half years in prison. The two were arrested in April this year. Meanwhile, another monk named Dorjee has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
“All of them were believed to have been sentenced for their role in assisting Phuntsok,” Tsering said.
The Chinese government, according to Tsering, has introduced a policy of emptying the monastery as protests calling for the Dalai Lama’s return and religious freedom continue following Phuntsok’s self-immolation in March.
According to Tsering, the Chinese government encourages monks to disrobe and quit monastic life.
“If a monk decides to quit the monastery and disrobe, the Chinese government gives 10,000 Yuan and a loan of Yuan 50,000 loan for three years,” said Tsering. No monk has accepted the monetary offer thus far, Tsering added.
“Because of the restrictions and detentions at the monastery, many monks are yet to return to the monastery even after their holiday term from September 1 to 15 got over,” Tsering said.
