Lone Tibetan Monk Stages "Free Tibet" Demonstration in Lhasa; Arrested, Identity and Current Whereabouts Unknown

As reported in a press release by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, 5 September 2006

According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), a lone 23-year-old Tibetan monk staged a short demonstration calling for freedom in Tibet on 3 September 2006 at the busy Barkhor street in Lhasa, "Tibet Autonomous Region" ("TAR").

Within minutes, the Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials and security personnels deployed by the Lhasa Neighbourhood Committee hastily moved him away from the area.

The demonstration which took place in the afternoon was witnessed by a large crowd of Tibetans.

As of now, neither the identity of the monk nor the location of his detention could be ascertained.

It is reported that the monk hails from Nechung Village inToelung Dechen (Ch: Duiling Deqing) County, "TAR".

He was earlier a monkat the local Takdrak Monastery before being expelled on political grounds from the monastery eight years ago.

Barkhor, a circular street at the center of Old Lhasa, is a bustling market in Lhasa. The area has been a hot spot for Tibetan demonstrators desperate to draw the attention of the international community for lack of freedom in Tibet.

The area witnessed a series of large scale demonstrations in the late 1980s and early 1990s which were brutally crushed by the Chinese authorities in Tibet.

Owing to the sensitivityattached to the area, the PSB has set up strict vigilance of the area by deploying numerous officials in the area.

Moreover, Security personnels are also deployed by the Lhasa Neighbourhood Committee to screen the area day and night for any social and political activities.