On Saturday, 1 September, China police forces raided Nyitso Zilkar Monastery in Zatoe (Chinese: Zaduo) town, Tridu (Chinese: Chenduo) County in Jyekundo (Chinese: Yushu), Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and arbitrarily arrested five monks, while dozens were beaten by the People’s Armed Police.
“Around 60 vehicles full of armed police forces raided the Nyitso Zilkar Monastery on Saturday without any explanation, and locals say it’s because of the monastery’s role in preserving and teaching Tibetan language, culture, and Buddhism in the region,” reliable sources in exile told TCHRD this week.
In addition to their arbitrary detention, the residences of the five monks were searched and some computers and CDs were confiscated.
Following is the list of the monks known to have been arrested amid beatings and raids at the monastery:
| Name | Local Area | Age | Profession | Father’s name | Mother’s name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonam Sherab | Gyachen nomadic camp | 40 | monk | Tsundue Dhondhen | |
| Lobsang Jinpa | Sheshing nomadic camp | 30 | monk | Tagyal | Pema Tsomo |
| Tsultrum Kalsang | Kharang nomadic camp | 25 | monk | Athub | Dolker |
| Ngawang Monlam | Geshing nomadic camp | 30 | monk | Sumyak | Tsewang Pema |
| Sonam Yignyen | Gyachen nomadic camp | 44 | monk | Tsundue Lodhen | Wangmo Dolma |
Following the raid, electricity and all communications in the area of Nyitso Zilkar monastery were blocked, and the People’s Armed Police were patrolling the streets near the monastery.
When a group of monks at the monastery tried to stop their five fellow monks from being detained, they were beaten by the armed police.
“Instead of listening to the cries and requests of the monks, the monks were brutally beaten,” said a former Nyitso Zilkar monk now living in exile in India, appealing to TCHRD to put the case before the UN Human Rights Council.
In the same Zatoe township, Ngawang Norphel, 22, and Tenzin Khedup, 24, set themselves ablaze on 30 June, calling for freedom in Tibet and return of the Dalai Lama from exile.
Since 2009, more than 50 Tibetans in Tibet have set themselves on fire in protest against the Chinese government.