Dharamsala (AsiaNews) - Two Tibetans died in police custody in Lochung, Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Sichuan), on August 17 last. The men were jailed following riots on August 12 in the village of Shukpa, in which Chinese security forces opened fire on demonstrators. One of the victims, Lo Phelsang, committed suicide in protest against the denial of medical care to inmates. The other victim, a 22-year-old died from his injuries.
Some of the Tibetans injured in the shooting were taken to hospital, but soon transferred to prison without receiving further treatment. Others were hospitalized, but no one extracted the bullets from their bodies.
The shooting occurred following the arrest of a local Tibetan leader, who on 11 August had objected to the harassment suffered by women in the community at the hands of officials and police officers. In response, the authorities all festivals illegal.
The next day, about 100 Tibetans gathered to demonstrate. The officers responded by firing on the crowd, injuring at least 10 people. The police then arrested all the male inhabitants of the village over 12 years of age, with the exception of elderly men. At the moment about 200 are still being held in prison. (NC)