By Kalsang Rinchen

Dharamsala, March 6 – The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy based here said it condemns in strongest terms the “Strike Hard Campaign” launched by China on March 2, and called on the government of the People’s Republic of China to immediately end the “infamous campaign” which it accused of violating and abusing fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people through arbitrary arrest, detention, interrogation, restriction on the free movement of people under the guise of “maintaining social stability.”

China has put nearly 500 Tibetans behind bars in Lhasa, the capital of the restive Himalayan region,that saw one of the deadliest protests against the Chinese government in 2008.

Under the newly launched “Strike Hard” campaign 4115 rented accommodations were raided, 60 “high prone” areas were checked, and 7,347 non-permanent residents of the city were frisked and questioned, according to a state – run website chinatibet.com.

More than 70 guesthouses, internet cafes, entertainment centre and bars also came under the scanner of the Lhasa City Public Security Bureau Police Brigade.

The same website in a report dated 5 March said the Lhasa City PSB headquarters had mobilized 1,134 of its personnel and 300 others in the operation that amongst others banned 6 publications and detained 49 suspects without identity cards and papers. A nun was reportedly detained but no detail information was given.

The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said that the authorities seemed to have put a hold on the movement of monks from the three monastic universities of Sera, Drepung, and Gaden due to fear of protests by them with only four days for the March Ten uprising day. However, special permit have been reportedly issued for monastic administrative staff dealing with food supplies.

Ahead of the sensitive anniversary of the 1959 March 10 uprising day, a special body called “Lhasa Neighborhood Committee” had been formed to assist “security escort staff” in each and every sub-districts since 1 March “to maintain social order.”