China detains more monks in Ngaba County
Details are trickling out on arbitrary detentions of more monks amid an ongoing crackdown in Ngaba (Chinese: Aba) County, the site of most number of self-immolations in Ngaba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province.Around 14 of this month, Lobsang Sangye, 30, a monk from Kirti Monastery, who hails from Chilgdril (Chinese: Jiuzi) County in Golog (Chinese: Guoluo) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, was arbitrarily detained for unknown reasons, a reliable source informs TCHRD.
On 17 August, another monk from Kirti Monastery, Lobsang Konchok, 40, who belongs to Gyatsotang family in Chashang Chukle Gongma Township in Ngaba County was also detained on unknown charges.
At the time of detention, Lobsang Sangye was a student of Pharchin class (English: Perfection of Wisdom). He is the son of Mr Rabten and Mrs Yumkho.
Lobsang Konchok was pursuing his Karampa degree (equivalent to a Bachelorās degree in Tibetan Buddhism) at Kirti Monastery before his sudden arrest. He is the son of Mr Tharten and Mrs Atso.
Both monks were detained by the Public Security Bureau personnel of Ngaba County. Their condition and whereabouts remain unknown at the time of reporting.
On an unknown date this month, security personnel detained two more monks from Kirti Monastery, Lobsang Tenzin and Sangdhue. They were held in custody for a week during which they were subjected to prolonged interrogations. Both were released without any explanation for their detention.
In 1998, Lobsang Tenzin had received a three-year sentence in prison for charges unknown at the moment. He was detained again for a month in 2008 when protests broke out in large parts of Tibet.
