Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Nov 28: Tsongon Tsering has reportedly been sentenced to eight months in prison for protesting illegal sand mining in his village Tsaruma in Kakhog (Chinese: Hongyuan) County, Ngaba (Chinese: Aba) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, according to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
On October 27, the Kyungchu County People’s Court convicted Tsering on the charge of “disrupting social order,” a widely criticized accusation often used by Chinese authorities to silence dissent. Tsering, who is currently being held at Kyungchu County Prison, had been detained incommunicado after his video exposing the mining activities went viral on Chinese social media.
Tsering posted a five-minute video on Oct. 14 revealing large-scale illegal sand and gravel mining operations conducted by Anhui Xianhe Construction Engineering Company. He used a “real-name complaint” method, showing his ID card while narrating how the mining, under the pretext of road construction, caused significant environmental destruction.
He documented the environmental destruction and accused local authorities of failing to enforce existing regulations. His video gained traction on Chinese social media, prompting local government bodies to pledge an investigation.
However, Tsering was summoned multiple times to government offices before being detained. Sources report that he is currently held in Kyungchu County Prison, where his family is barred from contacting him. The heightened restrictions imposed by Chinese authorities in Ngaba have deepened fears for his safety, especially given China’s record of detaining activists on fabricated charges.
The illegal mining operations, which began in May 2023, led to severe soil erosion, water pollution, and risks to homes near the river. Villagers repeatedly filed complaints with local and regional authorities, including the Kakhog County Environmental Protection Bureau and the Ngaba Prefecture Water Affairs Bureau, but received no meaningful response.
In April 2024, the Ecological Environment Bureau of Kakhog County acknowledged in a written statement that the company had engaged in illegal activities and imposed fines. However, activists, including Tsering, argued that these measures were superficial and aimed at deflecting criticism rather than addressing the damage.
Tsering’s arrest paints a broader picture of crackdown on Tibetan activists and whistleblowers who challenge Chinese authorities or expose corruption. TCHRD has noted a rise in fabricated charges and incommunicado detentions across Ngaba, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and repression.
“Tsering’s case is a stark reminder of the risks faced by individuals who stand up for their communities,” TCHRD stated. “His sentencing is not just an attack on him but a message to all Tibetans that dissent will not be tolerated.”
