At least two people died and 8 persons were injured in clashes with police in Tawang today following the arrest of a Buddhist monk.
Lama Lobsang Gyatso, a Buddhist monk and general secretary of the Save Mon Region Federation which has been opposing plans of construction of mega dams in Tawang and West Kameng districts was taken to police custody on April 26 after an audio clip surfaced where he allegedly remarked that Guru Tulku Rinpoche, the abbot of the famous Tawang Monastery, should distance himself from hydropower issues in the districts. He also allegedly questioned the abbot's nationality, claiming that he is from Bhutan.
Gyatso was released later in the evening but was again arrested on April 28 after an FIR was lodged against him following a meeting of panchayat leaders of the district.
Tawang zilla parishad chairperson Jambey Tsering had said they “had to call the meeting at the earliest in order to prevent any law and order problem in the district as the audio clip has deeply hurt the sentiments of the peace loving people of Tawang”. The participants later lodged an FIR against Gyatso in Tawang police station.
Opposing his arrest, hundreds of followers (many of whom were monks and nuns), assembled outside the police station to express their ire. Reportedly, matters escalated sometime between 11 am to noon when Gyatso was briefly released and then taken back to the station. When the protesting monks and nuns found out, they became agitated and police began firing which killed at least two people, both of whom were shot in the head.
The protestors also allegedly set fire to a portion of the police station.
Despite repeated attempts, district officials including the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police could not be reached for comments. Most of the victims who died today were shot on the forehead, stomach and legs. Repeated attempts to contact the director general of police failed.
Gyatso was released on bail at 3 PM.
After his release, Gyatso said that police acted ruthlessly and fired without any warning. He also said that they opened fire without using tear gas and killed several people and injured several others. He also alleged that after his release, it was the police that burnt the police station themselves.
Already reeling from another tragedy when 18 people died following landslides in the district last month, the latest incident has added to the woes of the people.
Today's tragedy had begun unfolding on April 28 when the panchayat meeting that was allegedly called to discuss developments issues instead ended up discussing the audio clip where Gyatso is heard telling the abbot to stay away from hydropower issues.
Panchayat members later filed an FIR against the monk, angered by the content of the audio clip.
Gyatso had written to police seeking protection after he was allegedly threatened by ZPM Lobsang Yonten during the meeting.
Several sources alleged Gyatso's arrest was politically-motivated because he and his NGO have been vigorously opposing the construction of dams in the region.
Though the audio clip credited to Gyatso has annoyed many followers of the well regarded Rinpoche, insiders say that it has been twisted out of context for political reasons as Gyatso is an outspoken opponent of the hydro power projects, sources said.
A total of 37 dams have been planned for construction in the two districts which make up the Mon region, the largest of which are the Tawang-I (600MW) and Tawang-II (800MW) on the Tawang Chu river and Nyamjang Chhu (780MW) in Tawang district. Clearance for the Nyamjang Chhu project however, was suspended by the National Green Tribunal last month.
Meanwhile, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad will observe black day tomorrowall over Assam and members will wear black badges and raise black flags in public places.
Biraj Talukdar, state president of the AJYCP and Siba Kalita, Central Committee organising secretary, said that the organisation was warning the Arunachal Pradesh government against persisting in fascist activities which had become evident by its move in arresting and gunning down anti-dam protestors.
The AJYCP in the state is also opposed to NHPC's Lower Subansiri Hydel Project. The project has remained stalled since 2011 December.
Lama Lobsang Gyatso, a Buddhist monk and general secretary of the Save Mon Region Federation which has been opposing plans of construction of mega dams in Tawang and West Kameng districts was taken to police custody on April 26 after an audio clip surfaced where he allegedly remarked that Guru Tulku Rinpoche, the abbot of the famous Tawang Monastery, should distance himself from hydropower issues in the districts. He also allegedly questioned the abbot's nationality, claiming that he is from Bhutan.
Gyatso was released later in the evening but was again arrested on April 28 after an FIR was lodged against him following a meeting of panchayat leaders of the district.
Tawang zilla parishad chairperson Jambey Tsering had said they “had to call the meeting at the earliest in order to prevent any law and order problem in the district as the audio clip has deeply hurt the sentiments of the peace loving people of Tawang”. The participants later lodged an FIR against Gyatso in Tawang police station.
Opposing his arrest, hundreds of followers (many of whom were monks and nuns), assembled outside the police station to express their ire. Reportedly, matters escalated sometime between 11 am to noon when Gyatso was briefly released and then taken back to the station. When the protesting monks and nuns found out, they became agitated and police began firing which killed at least two people, both of whom were shot in the head.
The protestors also allegedly set fire to a portion of the police station.
Despite repeated attempts, district officials including the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police could not be reached for comments. Most of the victims who died today were shot on the forehead, stomach and legs. Repeated attempts to contact the director general of police failed.
Gyatso was released on bail at 3 PM.
After his release, Gyatso said that police acted ruthlessly and fired without any warning. He also said that they opened fire without using tear gas and killed several people and injured several others. He also alleged that after his release, it was the police that burnt the police station themselves.
Already reeling from another tragedy when 18 people died following landslides in the district last month, the latest incident has added to the woes of the people.
Today's tragedy had begun unfolding on April 28 when the panchayat meeting that was allegedly called to discuss developments issues instead ended up discussing the audio clip where Gyatso is heard telling the abbot to stay away from hydropower issues.
Panchayat members later filed an FIR against the monk, angered by the content of the audio clip.
Gyatso had written to police seeking protection after he was allegedly threatened by ZPM Lobsang Yonten during the meeting.
Several sources alleged Gyatso's arrest was politically-motivated because he and his NGO have been vigorously opposing the construction of dams in the region.
Though the audio clip credited to Gyatso has annoyed many followers of the well regarded Rinpoche, insiders say that it has been twisted out of context for political reasons as Gyatso is an outspoken opponent of the hydro power projects, sources said.
A total of 37 dams have been planned for construction in the two districts which make up the Mon region, the largest of which are the Tawang-I (600MW) and Tawang-II (800MW) on the Tawang Chu river and Nyamjang Chhu (780MW) in Tawang district. Clearance for the Nyamjang Chhu project however, was suspended by the National Green Tribunal last month.
Meanwhile, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad will observe black day tomorrowall over Assam and members will wear black badges and raise black flags in public places.
Biraj Talukdar, state president of the AJYCP and Siba Kalita, Central Committee organising secretary, said that the organisation was warning the Arunachal Pradesh government against persisting in fascist activities which had become evident by its move in arresting and gunning down anti-dam protestors.
The AJYCP in the state is also opposed to NHPC's Lower Subansiri Hydel Project. The project has remained stalled since 2011 December.
Via -Dawnlit
Thuk Je Che Tíbet.
Thuk Je Che Tibet
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