4 injured as security forces drive into crowd in Ngaba
Phayul[Sunday, April 05, 2009 19:35]
By Kalsang Rinchen
Dharamsala, April 5 – At least four people have been injured after security forces recklessly drove their vehicles into a crowd of devotees attending a religious procession in Ngaba county, Sichuan province, on Friday.
The incident occurred during an annual procession of Matreiya Buddha’s statue at Sey monastery in Ngaba county, Tsering, a monk of Kirti monastery here told phayul. This annual procession is usually done during the great prayer festival (monlam) which could not be held this year due to restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities.
Residents and monks appeared unhappy with the presence of Chinese security forces at the religious procession which was done on Friday. A huge crowd of Tibetan devotees and monks gathered at the monastery where security forces arrived in huge numbers and tried to disperse the crowd. The security vehicles drove recklessly into the crowd injuring at least four people, said Tsering.
The whereabouts of the injured people are unknown, said Tsering, who further added that it is not known if the injured people have received treatment.
The Chinese authorities had earlier put a ban on the great prayer festival in monasteries prompting protests. Many monasteries were put under constant surveillance around the great prayer festival.
Tags: Free Tibet, Tibet, Tibetan