Reported by Kelsang Jinpa
Translated By TenGyal
Edited by Kelsang Jinpa
Chinese authorities have arrested around 80 local Tibetans from Kashi Township (Gaxi Township), in Zachuka, Tibet. Among those detained, some sustained injuries after being subjected to beatings, while others were forced to sign affidavit agreements stating that the main perpetrators of the recent incident were local residents of Kashi Township.
According to information obtained by Tibet Times from a reliable source, at approximately 3:11 p.m. on November 5, local Tibetan residents witnessed Chinese government authorities carrying out mining activities in an area known as Serkhog in Kashi Township. In protest, residents attempted to obstruct the mining operations. In retaliation, Chinese authorities began arresting residents of Kashi township at around 6:50 p.m. the following day, on November 6. As of now, approximately 80 local residents have been arrested and forcibly taken to Sershul County (Serxu County). Many others are believed to still be held in detention.
According to new information that emerged in December, residents from Kashi Township who were arrested by Chinese authorities are being provided with nothing more than a cold bowl of watery barley porridge while in prison. Detainees are reportedly denied the ability to urinate, defecate, or sleep for days and nights on end. Furthermore, some detainees have suffered rib fractures and kidney injuries after being subjected to physical beatings, leaving them in severely deteriorated health conditions. There are also reports of detainees experiencing relapsed pneumonia while in custody.
Moreover, while in detention, Chinese authorities forced residents arrested from Kashi township to sign agreement affidavits pledging not to send any information related to the incident outside. Although many elderly residents were later released after undergoing strict interrogations, thorough searches of their mobile phones, and so-called “political education,” authorities continue to summon residents for repeated interrogations. Phones are searched regularly to investigate whether any information has been shared with outside sources in the days following their release.
Based on reports so far, some detainees who fell seriously ill were released, while others were freed only after being forced to sign documents stating that they would not obstruct mining activities in the future or share information externally. Those released were also compelled to sign a statement document claiming that they had witnessed local residents assault government officials without provocation.
Seven individuals arrested in November have since disappeared, with no clear information regarding their whereabouts or physical condition. When reporters arrived in the area, Chinese authorities enforced strict directives allowing only authorized personnel to speak to the media. Additionally, surveillance cameras and recording devices were installed in many households, enabling authorities to secretly monitor family conversations and further restrict on residents’ movements.
Based on information received by Tibet Times, when local residents first discovered the mining operations, they immediately halted the work and reported the matter to township authorities. However, rather than supporting the residents, township officials informed them that they had no right to interfere and claimed that ownership of the land belonged entirely to the Chinese government. Authorities offered false assurances that the matter would be investigated and resolved. Tensions escalated when officials reprimanded residents, asserting that obstructing gold mining activities was unlawful. The residents’ refusal to accept these explanations stems from frustration over long-standing experiences of oppression and harassment by Chinese authorities in Sershul Township.
At present, despite reports confirming that around 80 residents of Kashi Township have been arrested and physically abused while in detention, the future consequences they may face remain uncertain. At the time of the incident, the entire area was sealed off by the Sershul County United Front Department Office, armed police, soldiers, and township authorities. During a meeting held at that time, officials warned that any leakage of information to higher authorities or international outlets would constitute a serious criminal offense. They also forcefully entered and conducted thorough searches of mobile phones in every household. Armed soldiers are currently deployed throughout the streets, and residents continue to be arrested and detained even for minor actions, such as casting what authorities deem to be “wrong” glances.
This is not the first instance of mining activity in the vicinity of Kashi Township. Since the 1990s, there have been multiple cases of mining operations in the area. According to local residents, these gold mining activities are linked to corrupt officials from Sershul County, local leaders, and certain businessmen who collude with one another and engage in the embezzlement of funds. More broadly, the Chinese government has repeatedly used the pretext of “development” to inflict severe environmental damage on the region, including the construction of new dams, pollution of the Zachu River, and extensive land excavation.
In addition, the leaders of Kashi Township have consistently acted as enforcers for Chinese authorities, imposing wide-ranging restrictions on local religious and cultural life. These include limiting the number of monks permitted to attend the annual prayer festival at Kashi Monastery to just four, prohibiting public participation in Mani ritual gatherings, preventing elderly residents from circumambulating the monastery during special occasions, and banning gatherings of more than ten people. Authorities have also restricted cultural and educational training programs for students during school holidays.
