Tibetan monk writer from Palbar arrested in Lhasa

Phayul[Tuesday, January 11, 2011 16:25]

By Kalsang Rinchen Dharamsala, January 11 – Chinese police have arrested and detained a Tibetan writer in Tibet’s capital Lhasa on 29 December 2010, Geshe Monlam Tharchin, a member of Tibetan parliament told phayul. Tenpa Lodoe, a native of Chakra Palbar in Tibet’s Kham province, who wrote under pen-name “Ghang Ga Khyampo”, was picked up along with a friend by Lhasa Public Security Bureau. Lodoes’ friend, however, was released the same day. Lodoe completed his Buddhist philosophy course from Palyul Nga Gyur Densa Chenmo monastery. He edited a journal called Duenkyoed (Moving Forward) and is a prominent member of the Palbar County Lobkul Tsokpa (guidance group). Lodoe started a group called “Ghangrii Nesbab Tsokpa” in collaboration with fellow monks. He also organized the second debate on intellectual property rights called “Tsomrig Ghyi Dakwang Tsolwa” (In search of intellectual copyright) on 24 January, 2010 in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, with the help of a Tibetan writer named Goyoen. Goyoen was arrested on 5 June 2010. He was tortured while in detention for several months before being released. Lodoe’s latest initiative was a debate titled “Ghangri Nesbab Lengwa” (Talking the situation of Tibet) at Tashi Delek hotel in Palyul County on December 20, 2010. Lodoe has authored two books, Nga Miyul Do dhue (my journey to foreign land) and Szen Wog Ghi Chimig (Sight from underneath monk’s robe), besides several essays and articles on the Internet. Lodoe had recently told a friend of his over the phone that the Chinese authorities were keeping a close watch on his activities. Lodoe is currently detained in a Lhasa prison but no details were immediately available. Chinese authorities in his hometown have impounded his laptop, Buddhist scriptures and printing blocks. Lodoe had recently set up a small printing press in his hometown, added Geshe Tharchin. “He asked his sister who recently paid a visit to the detention center to pass on the printing machinery to someone else. He assured her that he would be fine and asked her to convey his message to his family that they should not worry about him,” said Geshe Tharchin. NOTE - English translation of Tibetan names and terms used in this report are not necessarily exact. Effort has been made to provide the closest English equivalent as possible. Readers are advised to refer to the Tibetan names as standard and accurate.