China arrests five Tibetans on uprising anniversary

According to information received by TCHRD, at around 11 am (local time) on 10 March 2013, three Tibetan monks from Ganden Samten Dhargyeling Monastery in Dzachuka area in Sershul County staged a protest march in the County town and got arrested along with two other lay Tibetan men who tried to persuade the monks from protesting for fear of arrest.

The source told TCHRD that the monks shouted slogans for “freedom, democracy, and the need for a Middle Way approach to solve the Tibet issue.” They carried a huge flag emblazoned with a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The three detained monks were identified as Lobsang Samten, 31, son of father Kardey and mother Tashi Dolma; Sonam Namgyal, 26, son of Lonpa and Gyagyong; and Thupten Gelek, 29, son of Tsering Soede and Lhadon.

Along with the monks, two lay Tibetans were also arrested for merely trying to peacefully solve the crisis.

The two were identified as Ngawang Gyatso, 41, son of Soekyap and Tsewang Lhamo; and Lobsang Kelsang, 17, son of Jamyang Tsering and Jamyang Dolma from Bumnying Village.

Citing local contacts, sources told TCHRD that this is the first time that a protest like this happened in the area on 10 March anniversary. Dzachuka is now under intense suveillance with the arrival of armed police.

The whereabouts of the five remain unknown.