Tibetan village leader dies after torture in detention
Gonmo Namgyal died two days after his release in November; villagers pray for remaining detainees
A Tibetan village leader has died after six months in detention, Tibet Watch has learned. Gonpo Namgyal died shortly after his release last month. Sources state that his body showed signs of torture.
Gonpo Namgyal was the village leader of Ponkor village. He is known to have led Tibetan language classes and promoted Buddhist ethics by advising nomads to renounce selling their livestocks to slaughterhouses.
He did this alongside Abbot Tenpa Dhargyal of Shangtoe Monastery. In May, the pair were detained as part of a group of around 20 Tibetans by police in Darlak County.
Gonpo Namgyal was released from custody in mid November. He died at his home two days later on 18 November. Extensive burns on his body were seen during his cremation at Traling Monastery, which a source identified as signs of high-voltage electric shocks. Gonpo was only in his 40s.
Gonpo Namgyal (L) and Abbot Tenpa Dhargyal (R)
Anguished villagers have since been praying for the release of Abbot Tenpa Dhargyal of Shangtoe Monastery, who remains in detention. Details of other detainees are still unknown.
Abbot Tenpa is known to be highly respected by the late Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok, founder of the renowned Buddhist academy of Larung Gar.
“Khenpo [Abbot] is an incredibly precious holder of the Buddhist doctrine,” said a source, weeping. “His devotees are extremely worried about his health so they are continuously performing rituals in the village and requesting other monks and religious devotees to conduct as many prayers for his health and safe release.”
Information supplied by Tibet Watch
