DHARAMSHALA, December 23: Three Tibetans from Driru have been sentenced to varying prison terms up to thirteen years by a Chinese court on Dec. 19, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said today.
The Driru County People’s Court sentenced 22 year old Tibetan singer Tsekar Thinley to nine years’ imprisonment. Choekyab has been sentenced to thirteen years in prison while Tselha got three years jail term. A Tibetan source with contacts in Driru said all three of them have been charged with instigating one of the year’s largest protests against Chinese mining activities at the sacred Naglha Dzamba Mountain in Driru County.
Tsekar Thinlay, was arrested around November 20 while he was at a government run driving school and license issuing office in Nagchu. The source added that his album, “Ring of Unity”, which called for unity among Tibetans was well received by listeners. He is accused of mobilizing anti-government sentiments among Tibetan listeners of his music.
According to the TCHRD, the three were taken to a prison in Nagchu where they were held for some time before being brought back to Driru.
In May 2013, about 5000 Tibetans protested against a Chinese company making preparations to build roads and set up power lines at the sacred mountain on the “pretext of building hydroelectric projects”, the Tibetan right group said.
Due to persistent protests and petitioning by Tibetans, local authorities claimed that the Ngalha Dzamba Mountain had been included in the list of the government’s ‘cultural and environment preservation’ areas. The authorities also praised the protesters for expressing their concern for the environment.
However, the TCHRD claim that the Chinese authorities had lied to the Tibetans about Ngalha Dzamba Mountain having been marked as ‘cultural and environment preservation’ area.
Both Tsekar Thinlay and Choekyap hail from Serkhang Village in Driru. Tselha, a former policeman is from Thupga Village No. 5 in Driru. There are no additional details available on Choekyap and Tselha.
The Tibetan right group fears that China is secretly jailing Tibetans in Nagchu trying them arbitrarily without any access to due legal process or a fair trial.
