Chinese authorities have detained scores of Tibetans and disappeared a village leader after they had opposed plans to mine Sebtra Zagyen, a sacred mountain with 800 year-old history that overlooks several villages located in Shakchu (Ch: Shaqu) Town in Diru (Ch: Biru) County, Nagchu (Ch: Naqu) Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).
Three Tibetans from Sog County (Ch: Suo Xian) were arrested by the local Public Security Bureau (“PSB”) for protesting against the authorities’ mining activity in the area, according to confirmed reports received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
The three Tibetans, Dejor, 40, Tsering Dawa, 40, and Thartsok, 33, were arrested on 4 September 2004 in Sari Village, Yongnak Township, Sog County, Tibet Autonomous Region (“TAR”). All of them are currently reported to be in Nagchu (Ch: Naqu) Prefecture Detention Centre.