This morning, 18 March 2008 (11 AM Beijing Time) around 500 monks of Choephel Shing Monastery erupted into protest according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
According to the multiple sources and eyewitnesses, around 500 monks of Choephel Shing Monastery, located in Dogo Township, Chone County (Ch:Zhouni Xian), Kanlho “TAP” were conducting a prayer ritual (burning Juniper Incense) at a hillock behind the monastery. Shortly after the end of the prayer ritual, the monks erupted into a protest demonstration.
The monks marched out carrying the banned Tibetan national flag, shouting slogans calling for the “Independence for Tibet” and “Long Live the Dalai Lama”. The protest has been gaining momentum and growing in size when this report is being filed.
Reliable sources say that huge contingent of People’s Armed Police (PAP) and Public Security Bureau (PSB) has been brought into the area to quell the Tibetan demonstrators. The situation on the ground is extremely tense. Details could be ascertained at this point of time but TCHRD will issue update as the situation progresses.
