By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, Apr. 15: Chinese police in the so called Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Tibet have reportedly arrested noted Tibetans in recent weeks, according to several exile media outlets in India. Writer and environmentalist Sey Nam, former political prisoner Tsering Dolma, writer Gangkye Drubpa Kyab, and activist Gangbu Yudrum are the four identified Tibetans who have been detained by Chinese authorities, according to Golok Jigme, former political prisoner living in Switzerland. The two other detainees have yet not been identified.
The report of arrests in Kardze, Tibet, has shown that Chinese authorities continue to maintain a tight grip over Tibetans and their political activities including the preservation of their culture and language.
Writer and environmental activist Sey Nam was taken into custody on April 2 in Kardze’s Serthar County. Former political prisoner Tsering Dolma was also detained on the same day; she had been arrested twice before in 2008 and 2012 for participating in protests against Chinese policies and rule in Tibetan areas.
A prominent writer and former prisoner, Gangkye Drubpa Kyab, also known as Gangme Thak, was arrested in Sertha on March 23, whereas political activist Gangbu Yudrum was taken into custody on March 22. The source claimed that the police have not given any valid reason for their arrests, also adding that the tightened restrictions in Tibet made it difficult to procure any further information. Writer Gangkye Kyab, father of two, was also sentenced in 2013 for five years and six months in prison for “political activities”.
Yudrum had served a three-year sentence in 2008 for his role in a protest where he raised the banned Tibetan national flag and called for the return of exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He was again arrested in 2012 for two years, and upon his release, urged local Tibetans to work to free Tibet from Chinese rule.
