In Derge County, Tibet, more than ten Tibetans from Wonpoto township have been arrested following their protest against new dam construction on the Drichu River. The whereabouts and condition of those arrested, including individuals named Rigzin, Thubpur, Dechen Dolma, Yangkyi, and Tsedup, are currently unknown, reports Tibet Times.
The protests began on February 14, 2024, when hundreds of Tibetans, including many college students, voiced their opposition to the relocation of local settlers and the construction of the dam through written and verbal appeals to Chinese officials. Despite their peaceful efforts, the response was the arrest of over ten protestors, leaving their communities in uncertainty and fear.
A local Tibetan shared with Tibet Times the increased restrictions and control in Wonpoto, indicating plans for further Chinese official deployment to the area in April. Another source highlighted the heavy military presence and internet censorship, marking a tense atmosphere in Derge County.
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The situation escalated on February 21 and 22 when local residents, including monks, peacefully demonstrated, asking officials to reconsider the dam project. This led to violent responses from the police, with several protestors being hospitalized and many arrested. The construction of the Kamtok Hydropower station, which necessitates the relocation of six monasteries and two villages, is at the heart of the controversy.
This incident has sparked concerns about the suppression of peaceful protest and the impact of such development projects on local communities and cultural heritage in Tibet.
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