Dorje Dragtsel, a layman, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for leading an anti-mining protest at the sacred Naglha Dzamba Mountain in Driru last year, according to Phayul news service.
Dorje Dragtsel was allegedly involved in many anti-China protests including protests against government’s forced expression of loyalty whereby Tibetans were forced to raise the Chinese national flag atop their houses.
Dorje Dragtsel was sentenced in January, according to Phayul.
Since his arrest on October 3, 2013, Dorje Dragtsel went missing. Hundreds of Tibetans sat on a hunger strike outside the Chinese police station on Oct. 6 demanding his release. However, police fired upon the protestors injuring several Tibetans, according to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).
Sources say he was given seven years for allegedly being one of the ringleaders of the May 2013 demonstration against mining activities at the sacred Naglha Dzamba Mountain, in addition to three years for wantonly lending money to others and one year for obstructing the work of permanent cadres stationed in Diru County. Details are still sketchy on the second charge as it cannot be ascertained immediately how someone can be charged for helping others, in this case borrowing money to others.
In related news, Konchok Dakpa, a youth from Chamram Village in Diru Township recently died in police custody, according to TCHRD. He was held incommunicado for weeks since his arrest in December 2013. On 20 January 2014, his body was returned to his family who were given strict orders not to discuss the death with others. Sources with contacts in Diru said Konchok Dakpa was severely beaten and tortured during his secret detention, indicating that his death was the direct result of police torture. Local Tibetans believe that he was most likely punished for his participation in May 2013 protest against Chinese mining at the sacred Naglha Dzamba Mountain, according to TCHRD.
