By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, July 19: Three Tibetans have reportedly been arrested for possessing photos of the exiled spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the months of June and July, around the time of Holiness’ 87th birthday that falls on July 6 every year. According to Tibet.net, an unknown Tibetan man from Kardze was arrested, along with two Tibetan sisters, following allegations of possessing images of the Dalai Lama who is considered a “separatist” by the Beijing government.
The unnamed man in 60s from Kardze County was beaten severely by the Chinese authorities solely due to displaying a huge portrait of the octogenarian leader. The report noted that in an unannounced raid in June, police found the portrait at his home and immediately confiscated the photo of the revered lama. The elderly Tibetan man is currently at the county jail where he is currently being detained. Sources have said that his health has deteriorated following severe beatings and torture. “A source explained that the man was taken back to the county jail after being discharged from the hospital; the current situation surrounding the case remains unclear,” the report stated.
Two Tibetan women, who hail from Tsarang in Nagchu’s Amdo County, were also arrested for possessing photos of the Dalai Lama in their household in July. The sisters Zumkar and Youdon were detained one after another for similar reasons; the elder sibling Zumkar was detained on June 23 whereas Youdon was held on July 11. While Zumkar, 27, was arrested for possessing a portrait of the Dalai Lama, the younger sibling was imprisoned for assisting her sister. Youdon in her 20s is currently held at a detention centre in Lhasa; the fates of both the siblings remain unknown.
