June 19, 2008
Famine in Mustang
Enraged over continuous anti-Chinese protests in Nepal since the pro-freedom demonstrations flared up in March, China finally put its foot down and restricted movement at its border with the northern Nepali district of Mustang, leading to food scarcity in the area.
According to officials, Mustang, depending entirely on Tibet for
its food and ration supplies, has been reeling under a virtual famine
since the Chinese authorities restricted the movement of Nepalese
citizens at Chhoser, the border checkpoint.
Situated at a high altitude in Himalayas, Mustang does not have a
direct road link with Kathmandu. Earlier, locals used to cross the
Tibetan border to get their daily rations and other supplies and it
worked well till last month.
Since
then, China has halted issuing visas to visitors from Nepal and imposed
restrictions on local Nepalese—Buddhists of Tibetan origin. The supply
of food grain to Lo Mathang, Ghami, Charang and Chhesar areas of
Mustang district from the Tibetan district of Dhonwa has come to a
complete halt.
No solution to the problem has been offered
by either the Chinese or Nepalese government. Though Nepali traders
have been urging its government to take up the issue with China, it has
not done so.
Ongoing Protests in Kathmandu
The Mustang famine comes in the backdrop of almost daily anti-China
protests in Kathmandu since March. Today, for example, more than 700
Tibetan exiles in Kathmandu were arrested for an anti-Chinese
demonstration – the largest number of detainees in a single day so far.
They will most likely be released by evening.
But a much more serious development occurred today: Three senior Tibetan activists were arrested on the charge of being involved in anti-China activities in Nepal. According
to police chief Sarbendra Khanal, "They are using Nepal's territory for
political purposes and trying to disturb peace and security in our
country. It is against the law," he said, adding that police were also
searching for several other top activists.
The Tibetans' arrests
may indicate that Nepali authorities are finally kow-towing to Zheng
Zianglin, China’s new ambassador in Kathmandu, who has recently
demanded harsh punishments for Tibetans protesting in Nepal.
The three arrested Tibetan leaders included Kelsang Chung, director of the Tibetan Reception Center
Ngawang Sangmo, president of the Regional Tibtan Woman's Association
and Tashi Dolma, vice-president of the Regional Tibetan Women's Association respectively.
Police personnel raided the houses of the Tibetan leaders and
arrested them. However, neither Nepal Police nor the Ministry of Home
Affairs made any statement on the arrests.
A Nepal Police team
had also raided the house of the Representative of the Dalai Lama in
Nepal Trinley Gyatso, but he was not at home.
Amnesty International says 1000 still missing in Tibet
Meanwhile in Tibet, in a report issued today, Amnesty
International said of the 4,000 people detained by police during riots
three months ago, about a quarter are still unaccounted. At least 1000
Tibetans’ whereabouts is unknown while the others have been either
released or placed under formal arrest.
Amnesty International
researcher Roseanne Rife said that according to official figures there
is a big gap between the numbers of people arrested - and those charged
or released.
"There's a huge discrepancy. Hundreds - over a thousand - are unaccounted for," she said.
Asked
what might have happened to them, Ms Rife pointed out that under
Chinese law it is possible for someone to be held under administrative
detention for four years without charge.
Olympic torch to make its appearance in Tibet, June 21st 
On Saturday, for one day only, the symbol of the Beijing Olympics,
which has become a rallying point for so many human rights activists,
will make an appearance in Lhasa. Many are predicting that there will
be some sort of protest in Tibet’s capital in spite of China’s
crackdown. It will be hard to know, however, since foreign press
coverage has been banned.
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