Tibetan Uprising Day

China's Brutal Crackdown On Ngaba Protests

Twenty Tibetans were reported dead following a crackdown by Chinese forces on a protest in Ngaba "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" in Amdo Province of Tibet (present-day Sichuan Province) on March 16th; Ten have been confirmed and identified. Hundreds of Tibetans from Amdo are still missing.

Norbu, son of Phurwagoen, 15, student at Tibetan Middle School, from Shanglung Village

Tashi Wangchuk, 27, son of Tsedrugtsang from Lhade Gongma Village

Gephen Thaklo, 64, family name Khenyirtsang Village Headman of Asigma Village, Ngaba. Wife, 54, also shot and in critical condition

Atashia, 26, Gangwa Pakortsang From Ngoshil Tsode Village

Gyergyam, 40, family name Jamshotsang, from Porema Village

­Lobsang Nyima, 17, from Zamthang
He came to further his studies at Kirti Monastery

In addition to the six above, five additional victims have been identified as:

1. Tsezin Totsang (32-year old male from Thechung)

2. Lhundup Tsomo Jigshetsang, (18-year old female student at Tibetan Middle School, from Ngoshu Village)

3. Butrang Dhargyetsang (female)

4. Sangay (18-year old male from Raro Village)

5. Gyamtso Beize

Thai Olympic torchbearer withdraws in protest over China's crackdown in Tibet
AP[Sunday, March 23, 2008 16:24]

BANGKOK, Thailand, March 23: One of Thailand's representatives in the Olympic torch relay has withdrawn in protest over China's recent crackdown on protesters in Tibet, a statement said Sunday.

Narisa Chakrabongse — one of the country's six torchbearers — said in an open letter that she decided against taking part in the relay to "send a strong message to China that the world community could not accept its actions."

Anti-government protests started in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, on the March 10 anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule and turned violent four days later, touching off demonstrations among Tibetans in three neighboring provinces.

Beijing's official death toll from the rioting is now 22, but the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile has said 99 Tibetans have died.

"The slaying of the Tibetans ... is an outright violation of human rights," Narisa wrote. "It happened two weeks before the Olympic torch leaves Athens and five months before the Olympic Games. This reflects the Chinese government's negligence of world sentiment."

Tibetans and their supporters have protested in cities around the world against China, where the games will be staged.

Some fear the arrival of the Olympic torch — which arrives in Thailand in April en route to Beijing — could spark violent protests against China, while others are calling for heads of state, dignitaries and even corporate sponsors to boycott the Olympics, or at least the opening ceremony.