On October 20th, 2023, the Chinese government arrested and detained eight Tibetans on alleged charges of misusing religion and financial fraud in Darlag County, Golok, Tibet.
The police office of Darlag County issued a notice about looking for sources while declaring that Gontse, Jigme Tenzin, Palden, Lochoe Namgyal, Nordhe, and Kalsang were arrested on charges of financial fraud, misusing religion and power. It is stated that those who expose individuals and provide source information would be protected and kept in secrecy.
According to a reliable document received by Tibet Times, it said that recently, the police office of Darlag county had found these Tibetans committing financial fraud and misusing religion and power. However, a concerned Tibetan noted that over the past years, the religious repression has intensified in the Golog area and even a small activity like accumulating Mani in the WeChat group is restricted strictly. Any religious activity on social media platforms is prohibited.
Another concerned Tibetan told Tibet Times, “I have seen a document regarding the arrest of these Tibetans from Darlag county, but these days, if someone does something that the Chinese government is not happy about, police officials will come to arrest and detain you, saying this is not right and that is nor correct.”
These recently arrested Tibetans are from Gyume village, Darlag county, Golog. So far, except for their detention, their whereabouts and health conditions in detail is unknown.
Over the past few years, the Chinese government considered the Golog area as not following the Chinese State-run education policy and making heavy restrictions on language and religion in this area. Chinese government closed seven Tibetan Private Schools in Golok, such as Sangduk Taktse boarding school in Darlag, three schools in Machen, one school in Gade, and two schools in Chigdul County.
