Deepening concerns among Buddhists about the escalation of tensions between Tibetan protesters and the Chinese authorities have intensified in the aftermath of receiving news that China has placed a lockdown on Eastern Tibet. Buddhists in Syracuse appear to feel helpless to help in any manners aside from joining in prayers for the well being of the Tibetans. Sebastien Blanc has reported for the Tibet Sun "Eastern Tibet 'under lockdown' after protests."
Some of the worst unrest since huge protests against Chinese rule in 2008 has recently occurred in a Tibetan-inhabited region of China which now appears to be under lockdown after it was shook up by deadly clashes. On Monday and Tuesday in the remote prefecture of Kardze, which borders Tibet, Chinese security forces fired into two separate crowds of protesters in Drango and Serthar towns. Tibetan advocacy groups have said that at least three Tibetans were killed in the clashes but have maintained that the protests were peaceful until police fired into the crowds. China has acknowledged that two protesters died.
It has been reported that by Thursday the affected areas in Kardze appeared to be under lockdown. Sources have said phone calls would not go through, the Internet was cut off and people’s movements have been restricted as Chinese police poured into the region. And even in the provincial capital of Chengdu, which is about 370 miles from Drango, police cars have been parked every 50 yards in the Tibetan quarter. It has been said that it is forbidden to take photos or to interview people there at this time. And so this is a tense and sad time for Tibetans.
