Police in southwestern China’s Sichuan province arrested over 1,000 Tibetans, including monks protesting a dam project that will displace villages and monasteries. Chinese authorities deployed armed police to arrest protestors.
Mass Arrests of Tibetans in China
Police in southwestern China’s Sichuan province recently arrested over 1,000 Tibetans, including monks, protesting the construction of a dam that will destroy six monasteries and force the relocation of two villages. The arrested individuals are being held in various locations throughout Dege county, with authorities asking them to bring their own supplies, signaling prolonged detention.
Violent Arrests and Protests
Authorities deployed armed police to arrest more than 100 Tibetan monks and local residents in Upper Wonto village, resulting in injuries and hospitalizations. Videos show officials forcibly restraining monks as they protest the dam construction. Subsequent protests led to the arrest of additional Tibetans returning to call for the release of those detained.
Global Concern and Monitoring
Tibetans in exile and international organizations have expressed outrage over the arrests, with mass demonstrations held worldwide. Concerns over China’s destructive policies in Tibet, including the hydropower project, have led to calls for action and monitoring by human rights groups. Surveillance and restrictions on information flow from Tibet make it challenging to obtain accurate accounts of the situation.
Source : A Guide to Navigating the Changes – Thailand China Business News