Fresh protests in Rebkong

Phayul[Tuesday, August 14, 2012 18:40]

Tibetans in Rebkong, eastern Tibet carrying out a demonstration against local Chinese authorities on August 14, 2012. The banner in Tibetan reads “District authorities are torturing the people.” DHARAMSHALA, August 14: After yesterday’s self-immolations and protests in Ngaba, fresh public demonstrations are being reported from Rebkong in the tradition Tibetan province of Amdo, north- eastern Tibet. According to sources in exile with contacts in the region, around three hundreds Tibetans took to the streets today to protest against the local Chinese authority’s heavy-handed behaviour and repressive actions. Photos that have made its way out to exile show hundreds of Tibetans carrying banners and placards marching in the streets. One of the banners written in Tibetan reads, “District authorities are torturing the people.” The protests continued into the day with nearly 500 local Tibetans carrying their peaceful demonstration to the regional police station. Latest reports suggest that the number of protesters is swelling as they continue to assemble in front of the police station. The protests were reportedly sparked by an overnight incident involving local Tibetans and Chinese officials.  Hundreds of Tibetans in Rebkong, eastern Tibet carrying out a demonstration against local Chinese authorities on August 14, 2012. Sources have told Tibetan media outlets that four Tibetans travelling in a car yesterday evening were confronted by a handful of security personnel believed to be in an inebriated state. The Tibetans were first interrogated and then severely beaten, leaving them maimed. Live ammunitions were also reportedly fired by the security personnel.  One them is believed to be in a critical condition. Rebkong has witnessed numerous protests in the past, including two self-immolations in March this year involving a 34-year-old monk Jamyang Palden and a 44-year-old father of three Sonam Dargye. Following Sonam Dargye’s self-immolation protest, around 8000 people gathered in Rebkong to pay their last respects. In one of the biggest ever demonstrations, the gathered Tibetans had led a protest march to Rongwo town centre calling for freedom and the long life and return of the Dalai Lama.