By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Nov 9: A Tibetan monk named Kunchok Dakpa from Tashi monastery in Têwo county, Gansu province has reportedly been arrested by the Chinese police on October 29, according to Tibet Times, a Tibetan-language news outlet based in Dharamshala. He was allegedly detained for approximately ten days and suffered severe physical abuse during his imprisonment.
The report highlighted that for years, the Tibetan region has been subjected to arbitrary arrests and disappearances of innocent Tibetans by Chinese authorities, with specific attention to the case of Tibetan monk Kunchok Dakpa. There is no information about his current location, health conditions, and the reasons behind his arrest.
Sources inside Tibet told TT, “It has been ten days since Kunchok Dakpa’s arrest, during which the Chinese authorities did not permit a meeting with his relatives.” “He is a religious monk. He is not the kind of person who would violate laws and regulations. Several years ago, he purchased some ritual objects from Nepal. If he is arrested on these grounds then it would be unjust, as his actions did not infringe upon any applicable laws. His reputation in the community is that of a law-abiding individual who is dedicated to his religious practice,” the same source further added.
The Chinese government has intensified its overall effort to promote its ideology, especially after the 74th anniversary of the National Day and the 20th Congress of the Party. Tibetans in the occupied region, particularly those from Têwo County’s monastery, are being subjected to forceful and compulsory indoctrination. They are compelled to study the ideology and policies of the Chinese Communist Party, sources said.
