24. May 2009
Dam protest in Tawu County
(TCHRD) The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) reports that Tibetans in Dawu (Daofu) county have protested against the construction of a major hydroelectric dam. During the protest, six Tibetan women were reportedly shot and seriously injured. The Chinese government is building the dam between Nyagchu (Chin: Yajiang) and Dawu county, resulting in the large-scale involuntary displacement of local Tibetans, in Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) TAP, Sichuan province. The local authorities issued orders to local Tibetans to assemble at Tawu county headquarters for a public announcement, essentially to give them notice to leave their homes. Following the announcement, and after local people expressed their anger in an impromptu demonstration, Chinese security personnel, both Public Security Bureau (PSB) and People’s Armed Police (PAP) lobbed tear gas and, at one stage, allegedly opened fire. At least six Tibetans including a 70-year-old woman, sustained serious injuries. The injured Tibetans were taken away to a nearby hospital but there is no information about their condition.