(TibetanReview.net, Oct19, 2014) – In yet another incident of its kind in less than two weeks, a Tibetan young man staged a lone protest in Serta (Chinese: Seda) County of Karze (Chinese: Ganzi) Prefecture, Sichuan Province, on Oct 16 and was assaulted and taken away by Chinese police, according to Radio Free Asia (Washington) Oct 17. The report said Dorje Rinchen, believed to be in his 20s, staged the protest in the central square of the county seat shortly after 2:00 pm.
He was reported to have thrown leaflets in the air and shouted prayers of long life for the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader reviled by China, and slogans demanding freedom for Tibet before being taken down by Chinese police. A police officer tied his hands behind his back while forcing his head down as he beat him severely before taking him away, the report added.
Following the incident, a large body of Chinese police was stationed on the square and harsh restrictions imposed over the area.
Rinchen, a resident of Horshul village, was previously a monk at Serta’s Nubsur Monastery. After leaving monastic life he pursued various trades within his nomadic community.
Before Rinchen, Pasang Wangchug, a 37-year-old businessman and father of three, was taken away by Chinese police after he staged a lone protest in the crowded marketplace of Karze County-town on Oct 3 or 4. He carried a white banner bearing texts calling for human rights, freedom, and the Dalai Lama’s return from exile. The man was also reported to have shouted prayers of long-life for the Dalai Lama and for religious freedom. He was reported to be a successful businessman.