Chinese official shot dead in eastern Tibet
DHARAMSALA, June 19: An official in charge of preserving stability in Nyagrong county in Kardze Prefecture in former Kham province of Tibet was shot dead while returning from an assignment in a mountainous area of the prefecture, the official China News Service reported June 18.
Zhang Wei, the 36-yr-old official claimed by the report as ethnic Tibetan was sent on an assignment to deal with the Tibetans harvesting caterpillar fungus in the area in May.
After investigation, the police named a 35-yr-old Tibetan man from the same county called Shiga as a suspect and concluded that the case was an ‘intentional homicide of a vindictive nature’.
The police on Wednesday issued a circular offering 500,000 yuan (about $80,000) as reward for information leading to his arrest.
In the past, under the pretext of preserving stability, government officials have cracked down on Tibetan protesting against repressive policies, including land seizures, illegal mining and suppression of suppression of Tibetan culture and religion.
Since 2009, a total of 131 Tibetans have self-immolated in protests against repressive Chinese policies in Tibet.
