Dharamsala, Nov 4 (TCHRD) : According to reliable sources from Tibet, officials of Public Security Bureau (PSB) opened fire at some 3000 Tibetans during a peaceful protest on October 31, 1999 in Karze. The protestors were demanding the immediate release of the three Tibetans from Karze County who were detained on grounds of suspicions for involvement in political activities in October 1999. The protest was held six days after the arrest of three Tibetans.

At least 10 Tibetans were reported to have been arrested. The identities and the exact location of their detention are not known. The figure of casualties is also not reported.

Several incidences of political unrest have been reported in Karze this year. Chinese authorities have reportedly deployed large number of troops in Karze County following incidences of resistant activities against the Chinese authorities.

Earlier on July 20 1999, PSB officials arrested 11 monks from Karze Dhargye Monastery after discovering pro-independence slogans on the walls of the monastery. The monks were charged of inscribing "Tibet is independent" with red paint on the gates and walls of the monastery. The details of their identifications and whereabouts are not yet known.

Another incident of oppression against Tibetans in Karze was reported on August 20, 1999. PSB officials have reportedly oppressed the Tibetans who were gathered in large numbers to pray during an incense-burning ceremony.

Arrests of the three monks

A respected and learned monk of Karze Dhargye Monastery, Geshe Sonam Phuntsok, along with two other monks, Sonam and Agya Tsering were arrested without any apparent reason on October 24, 1999 by the officials of Karze County Public Security Bureau. Sources within Tibet say that the Chinese authorities suspect them of having "clandestine contacts" with the exile Tibetan Government. Their current whereabouts are unknown to date since their arrests.

Geshe Sonam Phuntsok is a popular figure and people in the region revere him as a great Buddhist practitioner and scholar. He is well known for tutoring Tibetan literature to young monks. He had taught Tibetan literature to about 70 monks from 35 different monasteries in the 1980s and also tutored monks from his monastery on Tibetan grammar, Tibetan history and Buddhism for six years. He has also recorded the historical description of 13 monasteries in Karze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture; of which two books have already been published.

Geshe Phuntsok is even being honoured and respected by Tibetan government employees. Chinese authorities regard him as an element of threat to the stability of the nation because of his growing popularity and faith by the Tibetan people.

Born in 1951 in Karze County, Kham province (Sichuan), Geshe Phuntsok became a monk in his childhood. At the age of 18 he received sacred initiation and other religious teachings from Achung the incumbent abbot of the monastery, and from the great tantric master, Tadring Gonpo. In 1971, he remained in retreat for months. He was able to excel in religious teaching even while Chinese authorities imposed stringent regulations curtailing all religious freedom in Tibet.

Agyal Tsering, alias Agyong, 47 years old is the son of Samten. He was first arrested in February 1990 for allegedly printing and distributing leaflets calling for Tibet's independence. He pasted posters on the gates of Chinese official building in Karze and later he visited Odoling City in Qinghai Province and pasted posters at prominent places. He was detained in Yushu "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" of Qinghai Province. He was sentenced to 18 months term of "re-education through labour" without trial.

Born in Jurenno village in Diwo township, Karze County, he studied in People's School in Karze for five years and later joined Dargye Monastery. Agya was arrested along with Geshe Sonam Phuntsok and his current whereabouts is not known.

Sonam, who was arrested the same day, was reportedly the personal assistant of Geshe Sonam Phuntsok. His detail is not available.