09. Feb 2009
Seven monks arrested, abbot missing in Chamdo
(Phayul) Seven monks from Den Choekhor monastery in Jomda (Chin: Jiangda) county, Chamdo (Chin: Changdu) prefecture, were arrested on 24 January and are being held at Jomda county detention centre, according to a report by Phayul. The whereabouts of the abbot is unknown. Around 300 people including monks from Den Choekhor monastery took part in a demonstration at the government administrative office on 10 January 2009. Phayul sources said that the protest was carried out to stop the local authorities from taking a Tibetan dance troupe to Lhasa to participate in the celebration of the 'Serf Emancipation day' on 28 March. The same source said two explosions had occurred near the government administrative building in Choekhor township on 05 January 2009 causing damage to property but no casualties were reported. The authorities investigating have not been able to arrest anyone in connection with the explosions. According to the source, there has been strong military presence in the area beginning 12 January 2009 and heavy restrictions have been placed on the movement of Tibetans.