DHARAMSHALA, MARCH 24: Four Tibetan monks of Drilda monastery in Trido Township in Tibet’s Sog County have been arrested by Chinese authorities on the night of March 17, Ngawang Tharpa, a Tibetan with contacts in the region, said.
The four monks are Tsangyang Gyatso, Tsewang, Atse and Gyalsten, said Tharpa. The reasons for their arrest could not be known immediately due to the strict restrictions currently imposed by authorities in the region, according to Tharpa.
Tsangyang Gyatso is the chant leader of Drilda monastery.
Earlier this month, the authorities arrested five Tibetans for sharing “banned contents” on micro-messaging service WeChat and four on suspicion of their involvement in painting a graffiti reading “Tibet is an independent” on an iron bridge near the town. The authorities have stepped up surveillance and security around the bridge with security forces camping on both sides. The authorities are strictly monitoring all movements and intercepting communication lines in the area.
Tharpa also added that the authorities continue to round up several Tibetans for interrogation but details are not available.
