By Kalsang Rinchen
Dharamsala, April 1 – Four nuns and two youths were arrested earlier today in Kardze, a Tibetan monk living in India with contacts in Tibet told Phayul.
The six Tibetans shouted slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and freedom for Tibetans in Tibet, said Gelong, a monk of Sera Jhey monastery in south India. They also demanded the release of all the Tibetans arrested by China for taking part in protest demonstrations.
The nuns belonged to the nunnery of Hardo Rinpoche in Rinpatsa (spelled as pronounced) Township, according to Gelong, who added that Hardo nunnery is currently surrounded by Chinese security forces.
The Chinese security forces immediately arrested the six Tibetans, said Gelong, who added that it is not known where they have been taken as of now. He further said that it is not clear whether they were beaten during the arrest, as has been the case in most arrests.
Meanwhile, with Tibetans refusing to till their lands in defiance of government, Chinese authorities in Kardze announced that monetary reward will be given to the residents of Norzin (spelled as pronounced) village for renovation of their houses if they complied to the authorities’ orders to begin farming activities. The residents, however, refused the offer saying they could never tolerate denunciation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, according to Gelong.
In another incident of protest on March 25, eight Tibetan juveniles including a girl were arrested for taking part in a protest demonstration in Gyaldoghowa (spelled as pronounced) village in Rinpatsa Township. However, the village leader whose son was among the eight, warned the authorities that the 80 families of his village would revolt if the youngsters were not released. The eight, all below 18 years, were later released on account of their age.
