Latest update on Tibet protests 18th March 2008, TibetNet: Lhasa Crackdown Continues In Lhasa suppression continues with tanks and military vehicles patrolling every corner of the city. Former political prisoners and suspected Tibetans (those politically active) living in the Lhasa area are being arbitrarily arrested in the ongoing house- by- house raid by Chinese security forces since the evening of 15th March 2008. In desperation for complete crackdown, Chinese authorities are also arresting the family members of former long-time political prisoners (if they themselves are not physically present). Machu County (Kanlho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Gansu province) - 19 killed in protests During the protest in Machu County that continued from yesterday, People’s Armed Police (PAP) shot dead nineteen peaceful protesters this morning as confirmed by a source. Karze County (Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province)- Protest Continues with growing intensity and size Students and laypeople continue with their protest. According to latest information received, a massive protest is now happening in front of Karze County government headquarters. Nearby monasteries have been completely blocked off by Chinese military since a few days ago to prevent the monks from taking part in the protests. Labrang (Sangchu) County (Kanlho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Gansu province)- Protest held Among the many things that there protestors were demanding, they asked for the release of Jigme Gyatso (political prisoner in Chushul prison "Tibet Autonomous Region," serving a seventeen year term). Serthar County (Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province)- Crackdown on protesters Protest continue in Serthar County however today there was a strong military crackdown on the protestors. Chigdril County (Golog "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Chinghai province) - Protest held Monks held a protest at Chigdril County. 17th March 2008 Toelung County (Lhasa) - Massive Protest held Around 3pm local time, seven monks from Dhingkha monastery who were dressed in plain clothes started a protest on their way to Dechen town. Police personnel from Dechen town were not able to stop the determined monks from protesting and additional police personnel were called in from the County. The local people joined the protests after the County police tried to stop the protestors. People’s Armed Police was called in later from Lhasa after the protest grew in size and intensity. Around thirty of the protestors arrested were and treated very aggressively. Names of three of the arrestees can be confirmed as follows: 1) Samdup (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa). 2) Lobsang (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa). 3) Tsering Dolkar (from Tashi Khangsar, Dechen town, Toelung County, Lhasa). Beijing Nationalities University, (Beijing)- Students Hold Protest Tibetan students at Beijing National University held a protest. No further details available. Tsoe Municipality (Kanlho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Gansu province) - Students Protestors beaten Tibetan students who held a protest in Tsoe municipality were severely beaten by police and armed forces. Kakhog (Marthang) County (Ngapa "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province) -Students protesters beaten Tibetan Students from Kakhong County held a protest at their school campus. Chinese authorities were not able to hold back the student protestors who then marched to the County government headquarters. 30 of the student protestors were severely beaten and later arrested. The same evening students again held a protest. Ngaba County ( Ngaba, "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province) - Nuns and laypeople protest At 12pm local time, nuns from Ngatoe nunnery and laypeople carried the dead-bodies of those killed in the March 16th protest to the County government headquarters where they held a protest. 16th March, 2008 Lithang County (Karze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture," Sichuan province) - Monks and laypeople protest Monks and laypeople held a major protest held in Lithang County today. All schools, shops and offices have been forced to shut down for the next three days. On the morning of 17th March, police and army in huge numbers and heavily armed were seen patrolling all over. Near Tashi Lhunpo Monastery (Shigatse County, Shigatse Prefecture) - Protest held A protest was held by laypeople near the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. No further details available. Gepa Sumdo County (Tsolho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" in Qinghai province) - Protest held The Tibetans of Gepa Sumdo County held a protest in which they carried the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan National flag. The army arrived at the scene to suppress the protest.    (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)

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Last updated: 18-March-2008