By Sherab Woeser  One of the pictures received by Phayul shows a Tibetan wounded by gunfire in Drango on January 23, 2012.
DHARAMSHALA, February 2: The first graphic images of the January 23 protests in Drango, received by Phayul, shows in gory details, bullet injuries suffered by Tibetan protesters following the violent crackdown by Chinese security forces. The images also show a photo of the blood-soaked face of Norpa Yonten, lying dead after the indiscriminate police firings. At least two other Tibetans can be seen carrying bullet holes in the stomach area while others have blood coming out of bullet injuries in their arm and legs. Following the fiery wave of self-immolations, which has witnessed 17 Tibetans set themselves ablaze, Tibetans came out on the streets, expressing solidarity with the self-immolaters and calling for continued activism and a boycott of celebrations during the Tibetan new year ‘Losar’ later this month. Protests in Drango flared up on January 23, the first day of Chinese new yeay, after local Chinese Public Security Bureau officials began to arbitrarily arrest Tibetans on suspicion of their involvement in the appearance of leaflets and posters around the town warning of more Tibetan self-immolations if the Chinese government did not listen to Tibetan concerns. The unarmed protesters, many of whom were farmers and nomads raised slogans calling for freedom in Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama. As the protests grew stronger, the Public Security Bureau and People's Armed Police intervened by using guns to rein in the protesters. Earlier information confirmed the death of Norpa Yonten and another unnamed Tibetan. More than 30 Tibetans suffered serious injuries in the indiscriminate firings. It can be seen from the photos that the injured Tibetans have bare minimum medical resources at their disposal, leaving very little chances of recovery or even survival. Following the protests, an undeclared martial law situation prevailed in the region as Tibetans were prevented from going out of their houses. According to sources, fearing arrest, injured Tibetans are being forced to remain indoors with no proper medical attention. Speaking to Phayul, Tibetans from Drango, currently residing in the Drepung monastery in south India said that the region continues to be under strict military clampdown.  The dead body of Norpa Yonten who was killed in Chinese police firings on January 23, 2012 in Drango. “We are receiving information that Tibetans are being strictly barred from visiting the central areas of the town,” the Drepung monks said. “People are being severely beaten and detained and those suspected of taking part in the protests are being arrested.” Other sources have confirmed the arrest of one hundred Tibetans from Drango in the past few days on suspicion of their involvement in the protests. |
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