The
fate of a Tibetan Buddhist monk from the famous Larung Gar Buddhist Institute
of Sertha in present-day Sichuan Province, who was arrested last year during
the pan-Tibet protest, remains unknown year after the incident, according to
information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
(TCHRD).
(Source: Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, 24 June 2009)
The
fate of a Tibetan Buddhist monk from the famous Larung Gar Buddhist Institute
of Sertha in present-day Sichuan Province, who was arrested last year during
the pan-Tibet protest, remains unknown year after the incident, according to
information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
(TCHRD).

According
to the source, Ngagchung (only one name) was arrested by the on 8 July
2008
along with two monks; Taphun and Gudrak of Larung Gar Buddhist
Institute of
Serthar on suspicious of leaking information about Tibet's situation to
the "separatist forces" outside during the height of the Tibet protests
last year.
Although Taphun and Gudrak-both brothers- were released after
interrogation,
Ngagchung continue to remain in detention for almost a year. As per the
last
communication, he is known to have been detained at Chengdu PSB
Detention
Centre in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan Province. The
present
physical and mental conditions of Ngagchung remain unknown to his
family
members and relatives as their numerous requests to visit him were
turned down
by the authorities.  

Ngagchung
is a nephew of the late Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, a highly -respected Tibetan
Buddhist teacher who founded the Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in Sertha County
(Chinese: Seda), Kardze "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" ("TAP"). Ngagchung
studied Buddhist philosophy at the Institute for more than 20 years. Over the
years, he had taken various responsibilities of the institute and was respected
member of the institute.

The
Centre has recorded numerous cases of Tibetans whose fates and whereabouts
remain completely unknown to their family members or close associates. Family
members were denied visitation right in the detention center even after
locating their whereabouts. While in many known cases, families were informed
just before the court trial begin denying them of basic legal guarantees. 

Larung
Gar Buddhist Institute in Sertha County witnessed numerous Chinese crackdowns
in 1999 and April 2000 with Chinese authorities sending 'work team' officials
to conduct the 'Patriotic re-education' campaign in the institute. Later, on 18
April 2001, the Chinese authorities issued a notice putting ceiling on the
number of resident monks the institute could accommodate which resulted in the
eviction of over 7,000 students mostly from Mainland China and other East Asian
countries.  Then in June 2001 fifty trucks and jeeps arrived at the
Institute and, under the protection of thousands of security officials who
camped on the outskirts of the Institute during the massive demolition, began
to destroy the monastic homes. The founder of the institute, Khenpo Jigme
Phuntsok, passed away at a hospital in Chengdu on 7 January 2004 at the age of
70.

The Centre urges the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to
immediately locate the current whereabouts and ascertain the current fate of
Ngagchung. The Cente also calls for immediate and unconditional access to his
family members or legal representative of his choice and any medical attention
he may require.