There are reports that drunken Chinese police have detained and tortured Tibetan spectators at an international archery competition held from September 10-12 at Markuthang town, Chentsa County in Malho Prefecture.
Witnesses reported that the police demanded the Tibetans drink alcohol with them, and when they refused, the police threatened to close the festival early. A local Tibetan businessman Wangchuk, his brother, and Tenzin Rinchen tried to intervene but were forced into a police truck and taken to the local police station. That night, about eight policemen brought in boxes of beer, hung the Tibetans from the ceiling, and after drinking the beer, struck them with the empty bottles on their ribs and knees, later forcing them to the floor and urinating on them, Jamyang Dargyal, a Tibetan living in exile told Radio Free Asia.
On September 12, Tenzin Rinchen was found in a “critical” condition. He was taken to a hospital in the provincial capital Xining, which reported that he had suffered six broken ribs. Sources say that Rinchen could neither eat nor speak.
It was reported that Wangchuk and his brother were released on September 22. Their medical condition is not known.
Chentsa police have denied the account.