By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, Aug 28: Chinese authorities have arrested a Tibetan man for possessing a photo of the highest spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier this month. Karma Samdup from the Sernye Township in Nagchu was found in possession of a Dalai Lama photo around his neck and another hanging in his car when authorities detained him, according to Radio Free Asia. “His arrest is part of the Chinese government’s Strike Hard Campaign where they are cracking down on Tibetans,” a source cited by RFA said.
To be found in possession of the Dalai Lama’s photo is considered a “separatist” or “anti-China” activity by the Chinese communist government, punishable by imprisonment. “He was arrested amidst tight restrictions placed in Lhasa recently. The Chinese government arrested him for the ‘separatist act’ of possessing a picture of the Dalai Lama,” the source further divulged. Any information about Samdup who is held incommunicado is not available yet.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Strike Hard Campaign is an ongoing effort by the Chinese state to target “separatist” sentiments that seek Tibetan independence from China. The campaign started in 1996 has seen numerous disappearances, torture and beatings of non-violent demonstrators across occupied Tibet.
In the months of June and July, three Tibetans in Tibet were reportedly arrested for possessing photos of the exiled spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama around the time of his 87th birthday on July 6. The three prisoners include an unknown Tibetan man from Kardze along with two Tibetan sisters.
Last year in August, Chinese authorities in Dza Wonpo region arrested around 60 Tibetans who were reportedly found with photos of the exiled leader; 19 monks from the local monastery and 40 local residents were detained after their homes were searched by the police in Kardze. Most of the detainees were released but the fates of some of the residents are still not known.
