By Tenzin Dedan
DHARAMSHALA, Nov 12: A Tibetan woman named Wangchuk Tso has reportedly been arrested on October 26, 2023 by Chinese authorities for sharing a photo of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a WeChat group. Tso hails from the Dronglong Village, Dhola County, situated in the so called Qinghai Province – an area classified as a “Chinese divided area.”
Despite being arrested since the last two weeks, there is a lack of information about her current condition and whereabouts. A source cited by Tibet Times expressed deep concern over the situation. Her family was denied access to any details when they attempted to inquire about her well-being at the local police station.
According to the source, the family was informed that Wangchuk Tso had been arrested for sharing a photograph of the Dalai Lama on WeChat and for maintaining contact with Tibetans in exile through written messages. The family has been denied permission to meet her. Her husband’s mobile phone was confiscated after he enquired about his wife, and it has not been returned since.
Tibetans under Chinese rule since Tibet’s annexation in 1959 have seen various shades of repression and restrictions, particularly when it comes to anything related to exiled leader and Buddhist figure His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Keeping his photo and sharing it in Tibet attracts severe punishment including imprisonment, torture and even forfeiture of government benefits.
