Son of Tibet: Lithang Rongye Adak
"the man who spoke out for freedom, truth and justice"
Many Tibetans and tourists usually gather in Lithang on August 1st to celebrate the summer picnic and witness the famous horse race.
August 1, 2007: During the official ceremony, Rongay Adak from Youru Village, Lithang County, went up to the podium and staged a forceful protest. Rongay Adak seized the microphone and said that he wanted to say a few words. He then shouted the following slogans in front of the large gathering, "We Tibetans definitely need to be careful, it is extremely disgraceful that we kill our own people over small matters like collection of caterpillar fungus (Tib: Yartsa Gunbu, Botanical name: Cordyceps Sinensis)". Rongay also asked the crowd the following questions: "Do you want His Holiness the Dalai Lama to come back to Tibet?", "Do you want the 11th Panchen Lama and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche to be released?" and "Do you want freedom for Tibet?", to each of which the thousands of people gathered there shouted "Yes" in unison. Kardze local police then arrested Adak, and now his whereabouts are not known. Sensing fear for Rongay Adak's safety, thousands of people went to the Lithang County Office to call for his immediate release and to ascertain his whereabouts and condition. They told the county officials that they were there to express their thoughts and opinions freely like Rongay Adak, upon which the county officials invited seven Tibetans to step into the office. Around 200 Tibetans were in the county office's compound and several thousand stayed outside the office gate despite the ruthless rainfall.
When we communicated through our mobile phones with people who were in the protest, we got to hear with our own ears people calling the Tibetans to unite and support Adak saying, "It is not a fight for one man, but for our freedom." The seven Tibetans who went into the office had also not come out. Thus, fearing for the seven Tibetans' safety, the crowd broke open the gate and exploded into the compound of the country office demanding their release. The police started shooting randomly at that point, but luckily no one was hurt. Finally, the seven Tibetans were released, and the police told the crowd that Rongay Adak would be released the next day on August 2nd at 2:00 pm. With this promise from the police, the crowd finally dispersed.
August 2, 2007: About 200 Tibetans were awaiting Adak's release on that day, but to their absolute surprise they saw Chinese soldiers who were not from the area with modern arms and ammunitions that they had never seen before. The soldiers surrounded the 200 Tibetans, but more Tibetans came later who surrounded the soldiers. Then, another group of soldiers surrounded the outer layer of Tibetans, who themselves were surrounded by another group of Tibetans. Finally, one last group of soldiers surrounded the outermost layer Tibetans. It is estimated that there were 2000 soldiers and over 6000 Tibetans. The soldiers warned that if the Tibetans on the outside did not withdraw, then the 200 Tibetans in the inner most circle will be shot dead in 5 minutes. The Tibetans tore their shirts and challenged the soldiers to shoot at them. The Tibetans in the outer circles also challenged the soldiers to shoot them too. The Tibetans maintained their peaceful approach and did not even throw a single stone at the soldiers. The Tibetans protesting there told the soldiers that Chinese law permits the right to free expression, and asked them why Adak was imprisoned for practicing his right. "Where are the rights in practicality?" the crowd asked the soldiers, to which the soldiers did not have any answer. Even under gun point of the Chinese soldiers, the Tibetans' faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama was undeterred, and many cried tears of joy to see Tibetans unite for freedom and truth.
August 3, 2007: As summoned by officials, five Tibetans went to the county's police station. The Chinese officials there reprimanded the Tibetans for committing this grave crime of separatism and advertising Adak's case to the entire world in a few minutes. The officials complained that they were getting calls from abroad enquiring about Adak's whereabouts and wanting to know more about his case. The five Tibetans replied to the officials that they were not committing any separatist crimes, and said that they were only expressing our grief and sorrow as permitted under the Chinese law. In the end, the officials said that some higher-ranking officials from the central government will be coming the next day, and that they would reach a conclusion regarding Adak's fate on that day. It could be gathered from the official's speech that this issue had already become serious. Although the Tibetans did not trust the Chinese officials' promises, they still did not give up and set up tents nearby, awaiting the next day's decision.
August 4, 2007: The Tibetan officials told the general public that Adak had committed an unpardonable crime and if the public continues to support Adak, then the public will also get into severe trouble. The Tibetan officials claimed that they were warning the public out of the goodness of their hearts and that the Chinese government would not hesitate in carrying out a ruthless crackdown on the public if needed. But the public shouted back saying "We will never back off, we'll never back off." As summoned by the county officials, three Tibetans went to the police station. The Chinese officials there yelled at the three Tibetan representatives and asked them if they thought their actions would free Adak. The officials said "Adak has committed unpardonable crimes and that he will be punished for his actions. For example, Adak praying aloud for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's long life amidst thousands of people is against the Chinese government's rules. Things like this are a crime even if said between only two people. Even though the Dalai Lama claims to be a religious leader, he is a covert political leader with separatist views. You should not follow someone like him. But if you still choose to follow him, then you will also be a criminal like Adak." The public said if that is the case, then imprison us all because we all have faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama. And also added, you will not find one Tibetan who does not have faith in the Dalai Lama. The 3 Tibetans said that if we are not allowed to speak of the Dalai Lama, then we will not speak at all. Thus, they started a silent sit-in protest. The officials there had prepared dinner for the meeting, but the three Tibetans did not consume any food or drinks. One of the Tibetan local leaders told the three Tibetans that food is not prepared by the Chinese government, but by us. Even then, the three Tibetans refused to eat anything. This silent protest infuriated that local leaders and they asked the three Tibetans whether they were hoping that the United States would come to their rescue and said that is a false hope as China is now much more powerful than the U.S. In the end, the three Tibetans were forcefully put in a vehicle and dropped off at the public campsite.
August 5, 2007: Hundreds of Tibetans from neighboring villages of Lithang like Tsadewa, Atsub, Dragyal, and Sakor also camped with the other people to show their support for and solidarity with Adak. That day, about 10,000 soldiers turned up at Lithang and they marched around the Lithang campsite several times in a futile attempt to intimidate the crowd that had gathered there.
August 6, 2007: On that day, there were more than 10,000 soldiers and they had set up a camp right outside the Tibetans' camp. The soldiers had also set up two camps on the horse race ground. The soldiers would exercise and practice their trainings in the vicinity of the Tibetan people and that night, the soldiers aiming to scare the Tibetans ignited two hand grenades. All the passageways in and out of the Tibetans' campsite were blocked with Chinese soldiers and it was apparent that the situation was getting more and more tense by the day. More Tibetans started showing up at the campsite and 4 big tents were set up to accommodate all the supporters. Adak's brother-in-law, Thinley Khedup, who was already ill when Adak was imprisoned, died that day due to shock and anxiety. Then three more Tibetan representatives were invited to meet with the soldiers, and there the Tibetans declared their three demands:
- Immediate release of Rongay Adak, and if he has made any mistakes, then advise him on proper code of conduct.
- Tibetans to be given the right to freely express their concerns regarding Yartsa Gunbu and other welfare issues, and to have full religious freedom that allows Tibetans to freely talk about His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
- Release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and other political prisoners.
There was no reply from the Chinese to their three demands. When Adak was questioned, he also had three demands of his own.
- All the Tsampa eaters Tibetans be allowed to worship His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to be given real freedom of religion.
- Immediate release of the Panchen Lama and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.
- Tibet be given genuine autonomy through peaceful dialogue.
Adak's three demands were broadcast on a Chinese radio service. The Chinese government blamed the Tibetans that they had not gathered in Lithang to only support Adak, but they were seeking separatist ways to divide the country. One of the Tibetans, Chaktsa Lobsang, said that he is there to seek rights for Tibetans in general. We do not enjoy any freedom, Lobsang said and he added that last year a Chinese police shot another police dead following some personal feud and an innocent Tibetan was blamed for killing the police and was executed. To this, a Chinese official said that they will deal fairly with the current problem. The official also promised that they will give a chance to each and every Tibetan to express their grief and dissatisfaction the next day. Another Tibetan, Adruk Gyatso, said that Tibetans do not enjoy any freedom and that Tibetans also do not support the Chinese government's defacement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. On that day, the Chinese officials visited Bhum Nag ground where two nomadic groups called Pon Nying and Ling Kang were camping and gave them stern warnings against communicating with the world through mobile phones. The officials also told them that they will not be allowed to budge from their current residence, the Bhum Nag ground and told them that they could not join the group in main campsite. Tibetans from other parts of Lithang all rose in unison stating that if some parts of Lithang are standing up for our rights, then we should also rise up. In the afternoon that day, about 10,000 Chinese soldiers surrounded the Lithang Tibetans' main campsite and restricted people from going from one tent to another within the campground.
August 7, 2007: Chinese soldiers surrounded the entire campsite and public mobility in and out of the campsite was completely restricted. One Tibetan was brutally beaten when he tried to enter the campsite, but other Tibetans present there did not retaliate violently. Another Tibetan leaving the campsite was also severely beaten, but he also did not fight back with the soldiers. That night, the soldiers set off gunfire to scare the Tibetans. The young Tibetans there were greatly disturbed and being emotionally charged, they said they have no reason to back off or be scared of the Chinese soldiers. The elders were more patient and advised them not to give Chinese reasons to shoot directly at them. That day, the Chinese police stopped Tibetans from Othok, Pon Nying, Ling Kang and Gemo to join others at the main campsite.
August 8, 2007: The Tibetan local leaders, Tibetan officials and ex-officials pleaded with the Tibetans at the campsite to go back to their homes. They said the situation was becoming very tense and the Chinese government will show no mercy when they feel a brutal crackdown is necessary. The Tibetan leaders appealed to the general mass to not push this issue farther as they feared the Chinese government would soon resort to violent means. They said that they would take full responsibility regarding Adak's case and do all that is in their power to secure his freedom. The leaders of nomadic groups from different parts of Lithang told the officials that the Chinese government has already fooled the crowd once when they promised that they would release Adak on 2nd August at 2:00 pm. But this time they would trust them as we want to show the world how much the Chinese government keeps their promises. Thus, the crowd withdrew into their homes. Messages about Adak were smuggled out of the prison through some Tibetan prisoners who were in there for petty crimes. The prisoners said that Adak was kept in prison with them for a few days and that they were usually not fed good food, but Adak was fed special food by the Chinese that he refused to eat, and that he continued with his hunger strike within the prison.
Adak spoke out for Tibet's freedom and although the Tibetans withdrew their protest temporarily, this cannot be a final action.
A Summary of Activities from August 1 to 10
On August 1st, due to Adak's protest during the official ceremony, the opening ceremony was not able to go along with its usual glamour. There is usually an evening program on August 1st with about 400 to 500 dancers and more than 10,000 viewers. But this year, there were only about 50 dancers and about 400 spectators. During the evening ceremony, a Tibetan reprimanded other Tibetans celebrating and dancing during such grave situation. He told the crowd, "Don't you all feel ashamed of yourself, how can you dance now?, Rungay Adak did not go to prison fighting for his own livelihood, but for Tibet's freedom, How can we just sit here now? I am going to the local police station now" after which he left. The Chinese police were unable to identify the individual and thus, he is not imprisoned yet. That night, many anonymous posters were put up in different parts of Lithang and the main content of the posters was: Tibet has been an independent country historically, which was brutally and forcefully colonized in 1959 by Red China. Since then, Tibetans do not enjoy any freedom of expression and Tibet's natural environment has been plundered greatly. For example, extensive mining of resources and minerals in Tibet has deteriorated Tibet's environment. Wealth and resources raised from plundering Tibet's minerals are all getting used to improve big cities in mainland China and build taller buildings there. Tibet is yet to see such improvements. We, Tibetans, should never give in to such pressure.
Around August 6th and 7th, Tibetans were not allowed to walk around freely on the streets and some Tibetans saw that there were many Chinese posing as Tibetans and putting on a drama of fighting with Chinese police and they were being filmed. They were going to use the film as propaganda material to spread around the world. On August 7th, when Tibetans from neighbouring counties tried to come into Lithang, Chinese police blocked their path and did not let them through. Some even tried to get through to Lithang under the cover of darkness. Also, there are reports that many anonymous posters telling people about the uprise in Lithang were being put up in Amdo, Ngawa and Ladrang.