Tibet monastery surrounded by military amid security crackdown after Dalai Lama award

The Associated Press
Published: October 24, 2007

BEIJING: A major Tibetan monastery has been sealed off by armed troops following an increase in security after celebrations last week over a U.S. award for the region's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, an activist group said Wednesday.

The Drepung monastery in Lhasa is still surrounded by armed troops, according to the International Campaign for Tibet, a Washington-based pro-Tibet human rights group, citing local sources and several reports. Hundreds of monks may still be inside the monastery while others may have been detained or injured, it said.

Another major monastery in the capital is also closed, the group said.

The awarding of the U.S. Congress' highest civilian honor — bestowed by President George W. Bush on Wednesday — to the Dalai Lama was a setback to Beijing's efforts to undermine support for the spiritual leader, who they regard as a threat to the unity of China and their continued rule over the region.

He remains popular among Tibetans since fleeing into exile 48 years ago after a failed uprising, and has increased his international standing recently by meeting with world leaders.

The International Campaign for Tibet said in a statement that security on roads in and out of Lhasa had been stepped up and residents had been ordered not to carry out religious activities or further celebrations.

Several Tibetans were also temporarily detained after celebrations in a monastery in Gansu province, the group said. Citing eyewitness reports, it said there may have been injuries during clashes with police.

A Tibetan source quoted by the group said the increased security road checkpoints and restrictions on travel was similar to March 1989 when martial law was imposed following protests against the Chinese government.

"The tension in Lhasa and other areas of Tibet coinciding with the Gold Medal ceremony and the Party Congress in Beijing, takes place in the context of an intensified political campaign in Tibetan areas against the Dalai Lama," the International Campaign for Tibet said in a statement.

A monk who answered the telephone at the Drepung monastery said he was not clear about the situation. The other monastery in Lhasa could not be reached. The monastery in Gansu said no protest had taken place last week.

A male official at the Lhasa police office did not confirm or deny the news, but said there may be a news conference on the issue. Other government and Communist Party departments could not be reached for comment.

Security around China was increased before and during the week-long 17th Chinese Communist Party Congress which ended on Monday in Beijing, but the International Campaign for Tibet said security was tighter than normal in Tibet.

The congress makes a point of stressing the unity of China, especially for regions such as Tibet.