Source: PTI news agency, New Delhi, in English 1149 gmt 14 Sep 96

Palampur (North India), 14th September: Tibetans and friends of Tibetans world over are planning to organize demonstrations on Sunday [15th September] to protest against the detention of musician Ngawang Choephel, who was arrested a year ago in Tibet during his visit.

Ngawang Choephel was working with the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, where Tibetan leader Dalai Lama [lives].

According to Jamyang Dorjee, the director of the TIPA, Ngawang's only fault was that he had gone to Tibet to record traditional folk music.

He hoped that the authorities would release him soon from illegal detention.

According to official sources, Ngawang was last seen in Shigatse [Xigaze] prison on 7th October 1995 by a Tibetan businessman Dorjee Rinchen, who was also detained there.