Dharamsala (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Chinese authorities have arrested 21 Tibetans, who yesterday protested against the forced demolition of their homes in Kyegudo (Qinghai province, eastern Tibet). The move was reported in Phayul newspaper, issued by the Tibetan government in exile, citing local sources. Six of those arrested were seriously injured in clashes with Chinese police.
Local sources report that the clashes "exploded when some Tibetan residents protested against Chinese officials over the demolition. The police bulldozed newly built houses and tents and beat up anyone who tried to stop the demolition." Chinese officials justified the expropriation and demolition by declaring that the occupants were not registered in a legal manner.
The incident occurred on the anniversary of a devastating earthquake that struck the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai in 2010. Thousands of people died in the earthquake, and houses and property were destroyed. Since then, the rebuilding process has been very slow and the victim of nepotism and delays deliberately imposed by Beijing.