Six Tibetans living in China’s northwestern Qinghai province have been detained by authorities for attempting to block the demolition of homes built without permission near a “scenic” stretch of lake, according to Tibetan sources.
The six, who were taken into custody last week, had objected to the destruction by officials of temporary dwellings set up in Chabcha (in Chinese, Gonghe) county in the Tsolho (Hainan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a local source told RFA’s Tibetan Service.
“The Tibetans living along the shore of Qinghai Lake have built houses using iron sheets in which to live,” RFA’s source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“But the authorities have launched a campaign to demolish those structures, saying they were illegally constructed and spoil the scenic beauty of the area,” the source said.
Tibetan homes built in the townships of Trilnak, Tanak, Chang Shey and Rigmon were all affected by the order, he said.
Four Tibetans were detained on May 5 when authorities began to demolish houses built at a place called Gonpo Dong in Tanak, the source said.
“Lubum Gyal, his sons Tsewang Gyal and Rinchen Dorje, and his son-in-law Yeshe Dorje were all taken away and are now being held in the Chabcha county detention center.”
Early next morning, Gyablung village chief Tashi Gyal and a young man named Yangchuk Gyal were summoned to the detention center and were also detained, he said.
Further building banned
On May 7, authorities told local Tibetans they are now forbidden to build houses along the lake or in nomadic areas nearby, the source said, adding however that “many houses owned by Tibetans who have bribed officials are being spared.”
“This campaign has deprived many Tibetans of shelter and is causing them great hardship,” he said.
News of the demolitions followed reports of the destruction last week of “illegal” Tibetan homes in Mangra (Guinan), another Tsolho county.
Tibetans living in China frequently complain of political, economic, and religious discrimination as well as human rights abuses.
A total of 139 Tibetans have self-immolated in China since 2009 to protest Beijing's rule in Tibetan-populated areas and to call for the return of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
Reported by Chakmo Tso for RFA's Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney.