Authorities in southwestern China’s Sichuan province have detained a Tibetan man after he launched a solo protest in a public challenge to Beijing’s rule in restive Kardze county, sources in the region and in exile said.
Jampa Sengge, age unknown, was quickly taken into custody on Nov. 28 after he scattered leaflets while walking along the main road of the Kardze (in Chinese, Ganzi) county seat in the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, a Tibetan living in the area told RFA’s Tibetan Service.
“While walking in the street, he threw paper flyers in the air calling for the long life and blessings of Gyalwa Tenzin Gyatso [exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama],” RFA’s source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“After a few minutes, police stationed in the town grabbed him and pushed him down and took him away,” he said.
The source identified Sengge as a resident of Rabkar village in Kardze’s Dado township, adding that his father’s name is Loga and his mother’s name is Bochak.
“No information has been received regarding his present whereabouts or condition,” he said.
Also speaking to RFA, a Tibetan living in Belgium confirmed Sengge’s detention, citing contacts in Kardze.
“Around 10:00 a.m. on Nov. 28, Jampa Sengge staged a protest in Kardze town, calling out for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” the source, a former political prisoner named Tseten Phuntsok, said.
“While protesting and walking in the town, he threw flyers in the air, and after a few minutes he was detained by local police,” he said.
Though two detention centers are located in Kardze town, “right now we don’t know where he is being held,” he said.
Tibetans living in Kardze prefecture are known for their strong sense of Tibetan identity and nationalism and frequently stage protests alone or in groups opposing rule by Beijing.
Sporadic demonstrations challenging Chinese rule have continued in Tibetan-populated areas of China since widespread protests swept the region in 2008, with 143 Tibetans to date setting themselves on fire to oppose Beijing’s rule and call for the Dalai Lama’s return.
Reported by Lobsang Choephel and Sonam Wangdu for RFA’s Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney.