Chinese security forces firing tear gas over protestors
Photo: Phayul
Hundreds of Chinese security forces have cracked down on local Tibetan protestors who have continued their demonstrations against mining operations in Gedrong Zatoe County in the Qinghai province in Eastern Tibet. The demonstrations started on Friday, August 16 when a massive influx of Chinese miners arrived at three Tibetan areas: Atoe Yultso; Chidza Yultso and Dzachen Yultso to begin excavations.
“You can kill us but we will not let the mining take place here. It is our responsibility to protect our environment which is a source of water to many other countries,” said Khentsa Soedor, a local Tibetan leader whose wife was detained by authorities for interrogation before being released, and whose own location remains uncertain.
“Over [a] hundred Tibetans were wounded in the Chinese crackdown, while at least eight Tibetans were arrested and 15 others taken to a hospital. The total numbers of injured and arrested still cannot be confirmed, this hospital alone treating 15 protesters” said Konchok Dhondup, a Tibetan monk living in Dharamsala who has close ties with the area. Dawa, Atsong, Phuntsog Nyima, Jamyang Wangmo and Kelsang Yudron were among the people identified as arrested. A man named Sogpo Choedrup was critically wounded after he allegedly tried to kill himself with a knife. The police removed him from the scene and his present condition remains unknown.
According to Lobsang Palden, a monk in South India citing contacts in the region, a male protestor called Nyima was shot to death. Palden said, “He was surrounded by the security forces, and none of the Tibetans could approach him. Many other protestors ran away into the forest to hide and have not returned home.”
The Gyama mine landslide
photo: highpeakspureearth
The mine operators assured the local Tibetans that they had authorised permits to excavate the mines, but the protestors insisted they will stop interfering only if President Xi Jinping gives a public television address approving the operations – they cited a speech made by Xi on environment protection. Tibetans have long accused Chinese firms of polluting the environment and causing troubles at spiritually important sites. In March, 83 miners were killed by a landslide while excavating at the mine at Gyama in Tibet’s Maldro Gongkar county near Lhasa.
Xinhua news agency reported that Tibet has large reserves of important deposits but they have not been explored adequately. They reported that exploration of minerals in the Tibet Autonomous Region would witness an increase in investment over a five year period.
The Central Tibetan Administration has said that China’s large-scale exploitation of mineral resources in Tibet has led to sustained socio-economic and environmental problems. The massive influx of Chinese migrant workers into Tibetan areas deprives Tibetans of employment opportunities. The CTA has constantly urged China to involve the Tibetan people in all decision making processes and to ensure that the social, environmental and cultural impacts of such activities are properly assessed.
Print
Email