China detains Tibetan monk after lone protest, tightens security

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Sonam Yarphel stages a solo protest in Sershul, Nov. 26, 2014. (Photo courtesy: RFA)
Sonam Yarphel stages a solo protest in Sershul, Nov. 26, 2014. (Photo courtesy: RFA)

(TibetanReview.net, Nov28, 2014) – A young Tibetan Buddhist monk was detained by Chinese police on Nov 26 after he staged a lone protest march in Sershul (Chinese: Shiqu) County of Karze (Ganzi) Prefecture, Sichuan Province, reported Radio Free Asia (Washington) Nov 26. The monk, 22-year-old Sonam Yarphel, belonged to the local Mangge Monastery.

Carrying a hand-drawn placard, the monk staged his protest march at about 3:50 PM on the market street by the Sershul county centre, demanding freedom for Tibetans and the return of Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The protest lasted only several minutes as Chinese police took him away and locked him up in the county detention centre; a security clampdown was imposed over the county-town.

Following the incident, a large number of police arrived at Mangge Monastery and began questioning its 150-160 monks while the internet service in the county was shut down.

The report said Sonam Yarphel’s was the fourth solo protest held by Tibetans in the prefecture over the past four months.

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