(TibetanReview.net, Feb 17) – Police in Lithang County of Karze Prefecture, Sichuan Province, severely beat up 15 protesting Tibetans before taking them into custody on Feb 16, reported Dharamsala-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) Feb 16. It said the morning peaceful protest, held at the Lithang main market square, lasted about two hours, during which the protesters shouted slogans – like the monk who staged a lone protest at the same spot the day before – such as Long Live the Dalai Lama,” “Independence for Tibet,” “Swift return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet” and “No Losar celebrations this year”.
The report said police and the paramilitary People’s Armed Police dumped the protesters, who had blood dripping from their noses, heads and arms, into military trucks.
The protesters were named as Sonam Tenpa (29), Jampa Thokmey (30), Gelek Kunga (26), Lobsang Tenzin (23), Lobsang Phendey (37), Jampa Yonten (30), Sanggey (29), Jampa Tsering (28), Lobsang Wangchuk (30), Lobsang Tashi (21), Gendun Choephel (30), Dargye (37), Gedhun (29), Jampa (40), and Amdo Gyaltsen (41).
All the detained protesters were reported to be from nomadic families which had recently moved to Lithang Town from their different villages.
The report also said two more groups of Tibetans – including a few who were close to Ronggye A’drak, who was arrested and sentenced in 2007 – had also been detained by police and paramilitary troops after they staged demonstrations. No further details were available yet.