By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, Aug 3: Ten Tibetans were sentenced to prison for varied prison terms of 8-13 years on June 29 for objecting Chinese construction projects of a slaughter company, highway construction and other projects built by the Chinese government in the Sangchu County in Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.
The protestors were arrested in 2019 for allegedly seizing construction machinery and blocking construction. Tashi Gyatso, Tsewang, Nyingchak, Gyal-lo, Sonam Gyal, Takthar Gyal, Tenpa Gyatso, Tamdin Dorjee, Tamdin Tsering and Choepa Tsering are names of the Tibetans who were sentenced to prison after a 14-hour court hearing in Sangchu County.
The London based organisation, Free Tibet reported that the protestors demanded compensation for the land usage that was confiscated by the Chinese government. The protestors were charged with “disturbing social order”, “extortion” and “verbal threats”.
Tashi Gyatso, a monk, and Tsewang were fined with 70,000 yuan whereas the other eight prisoners were fined 50,000 yuan. Chinese officials in Sangchu County has reportedly declared 2020 as a “decisive victory” in their attempt to eradicate criminals linked with “separatist” forces. Chinese authorities across Tibet have continued to target Tibetans under the guise of government campaign against “criminal gangs” participating with the “underworld forces”.
