By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, June 26: A day after the brutal assault on Tibetan protestors at the Qinghai Lake, Chinese authorities earlier this week have detained five Tibetans, including a woman, protesting against the demolition of what the authorities deem ‘illegal’ constructions at the bank of the holy lake.
Reportedly, the detained Tibetans were taken by the local police without giving any reason for their arrest. As per RFA source, they were arrested at around 8 a.m. local time.
“They were taken away without any reason being given or court document being shown,” the source was quoted as saying.
“A large Chinese security force arrived in three large vehicles packed with police and another 20 vehicles carrying unidentified officials,” the source said.
The four of the five arrested Tibetans were – Lhachen Kyab, Jigje Delek Gyatso, Rinchen Bum, and Tashi Drolma. They all hail from the same township, Trelnak Township in Chabcha County of Qinghai Province.
Those who have taken videos and photos of the protest after the assault on the Tibetan protestors on June 23, which left eight seriously injured, were reportedly arrested as well. However, the number of the arrested people is still unknown.
Earlier, on June 21 the police had also issued a directive of Tibetans running small businesses near the tourist spot to demolish their setups and leave the area.
Hundreds of business owner with a banner that reads, ‘We need to eat’, ‘We need to survive’ took to the road circling the lake protesting against the authorities.
At the beginning of this month, the Chinese authorities started a campaign to demolish unapproved constructions along the banks of the Lake, which resulted in demolition of over 600 homes, shops and restaurants.
