Drolkar, Principal of Norbu Lingka High Institute, near Dharamshala, India, told Voice of Tibet about the incident, quoting a trusted informant. The arrests were carried out in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, in Wancang Township, Gansu Province. The arrestees were charged with not carrying their IDs and household registries. By the time of the report, five of them had been released, and one paid a fine of 500 Yuan (approximately US$73.14).
Drolkar said that authorities mobilized 300 armed police to Wancang Township, and set up a military camp near a hydraulic power plant. Local residents said they could hear sounds of explosions every day, but had no idea what the armed police were there for. Some suspected that the police disguised themselves as Tibetans and secretly recorded it as Tibetan protest activities. Some believed they were there to frighten the Tibetans.
According to Drolkar, authorities setup many check points between Maqu and Luqu Counties, in the Autonomous Region, and thoroughly checked all traveling Tibetans, especially monks. Not only did the monks have to carry their IDs and household registries, but also proof of traveling permission from the Monastery Administration Committee.
In March 2008, authorities sent armies to suppress the Tibetans in Maqu County, for they were engaged in several protests against the CCP. At that time, a Han ethnic female cadre was there to help the soldiers receive their supplies. Reportedly, several soldiers forcibly took the woman from her office and raped her at their military camp. It is said that this cadre has filed a lawsuit against these soldiers.
Based on Drolkar’s information, so far, no cases of Tibetan women being raped, have been reported. However, CCP soldiers often harass Tibetan women in karaoke clubs in Maqu, and take them back to their military camp.
Known Tibetan author, Woeser, said in her blog that there was a large ceremony in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, on March 28, to celebrate the so called Serfs Liberation Day. On the afternoon of March 27, the martial law took effect around the Palace.
