Lhasa on August 26 : Chinese authorities in Tibet have arrested one Tibetan man who was found to have an image of the Dalai Lama, Tibets foremost Buddhist spiritual leader who has been in exile since 1959, reports in the media stated.Karma Samdup of Sernye township of Nagchu county was wearing a photo of the 14th Dalai Lama around his neck and hung in his vehicle when police were arrested on the 12th of August, an exiled Tibetan living in exile who asked for anonymity,, RFA reported.
“His arrest is part of the Chinese government’s Strike Hard Campaign where they are securing Tibetans.As of the moment, we don’t have a lot of information about the whereabouts of Samdup,” the source said.
“He was detained amid strict restrictions that were imposed in Lhasa in recent times.The Chinese government detained him for the’separatist crime’ of having a photo of the Dalai Lama,” said the source, RFA reported.
Information on the location where Karma Samdup is held was not available.
The Strike Hard Campaign is an initiative by the Chinese government to target supporters of Tibet’s independence from China.
The campaign was launched in 1996, and has led in the disappearance, torture and lengthy jail sentences of participants of non-violent religious and political activities according to the New York-based Human Rights Watch.
In January, the Chinese authorities ruled that Tibetans looking for jobs in the public sector have to abjure any ties to the Dalai Lama as a condition for being employed.
Youdon Another young Tibetan was arrested on July 11, for allegedly being the owner of the Dalai Lama’s image.The authorities were on alert in the days preceding the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebrations on July 6th.RFA reported.
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