DHARAMSHALA, October 1: Chinese authorities in a restive Driru County have arrested six Tibetan monks for allegedly removing the Chinese national flag from the terrace of their monastery before burning it, a Tibetan source said.

The monks belonged to the centuries old Drongurgon Kagyu Phelgyeling in Wathang town, Driru County.

The same source described the ongoing situation in the town of Wathang and the monastery as "tense" with hundreds of Chinese security personnel patrolling the monastery and the town.

Chinese authorities in Driru issued orders to the Tibetans to fly the Chinese national flag on their houses weeks before Chinese national day celebrations last year, leading to a standoff between Tibetans and security forces. Hundreds of Tibetans from various villages of Driru were arrested for defying the order since September last year.

In June, Chinese authorities in Driru also issued a handbook of new laws titled “Two laws by People’s government of Driru County” (Driru Dzong Mimang Sishung gi Tenbeb Khag Ni) featuring new set of rules and punishments to avoid Tibetans from protesting against the Chinese government