China arrests young Tibetan monk after lone protest

DHARAMSALA, July 14: Chinese authorities in eastern Tibet have arrested a young Tibetan Buddhist monk for carrying out a lone protest demanding freedom for Tibetans in Tibet and calling for the return of the Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

According to a source with contacts in the region, Sherkyab, a 20-yr-old Tibetan monk raised slogans calling for freedom for Tibetans and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on July 9 in Serta county in Kardze prefecture in the traditional Tibetan province of Kham. He also scattered leaflets while he shouted slogans and marched on.

An undated photo of Sherkyab
An undated photo of Sherkyab

Within 5-6 minutes, a large number of Chinese police and paramilitary forces arrived, forcibly arrested Sherkyab and took him to the county police station.

His whereabouts and condition could not be ascertained as authorities have locked down all communication channels such as phone and internet lines in the area.

Sherkyab was a monk of Nubzur monastery located about 30 Kms from Serta county and at the time of his arrest, he was student at the Serta Buddhist Institute. He was born to father Kyari and mother, Tselha and is the eldest among five siblings.

 

 

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