More information regarding the recent protest in Karze County reached the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. According to a reliable source from Tibet, on 31 October 1999, approximately 3,000 peaceful protestors demonstrated in front of the Karze County People's Government and Karze Detention Centre. The protest lasted only for 30 minutes. The demonstrators were demanding the immediate release of Sonam Phuntsok who was arrested for his alleged involvement in political activities.

Information from Tibet has indicated that the police opened fire indiscriminately and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers immediately arrested about 30 protestors on the spot. Phuntsok aged 48, was a well-known and much respected figure in Karze County. He had prior to his arrest, initiated a long-life prayer offering for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In an address he made around that time he praised His Holiness the Dalai Lama and advised the people to follow his preaching. Aware of the consequences for such an action, he even told the public that he did not regret anything.

The Chinese authorities were reportedly also attentive to the fact that Phuntsok's arrest would have adverse impact on the people. The authorities had stationed approximately 20,000 PSB and PAP officers. The local hospitals were strictly instructed not to attend to any of the injured people.

Furthermore, People's Armed Police (PAP) forces were reportedly stationed at various hospitals as check measures. Almost all the major religious institutions in Karze County were under tight scrutiny and in an alleged state of curfew. The residents were kept under house arrest and were held incommunicado. Due to the increased security, it has made it difficult to obtain precise details concerning the identities and place of detention of those arrested. This has further disabled the Centre to assess the gravity of the situation. Sonam Phunstok's personal assistant's full name as received by the Centre is Sonam Choephel.

Note: For further information and picture of Sonam Phunstok please contact TCHRD.