Phuntsok Legmon (lay name: Tseten Norbu) and Namdol (lay name: Sonam Choedak) were charged with "incitement and propaganda" activities by the Intermediate People's Court of Lhasa City on July 9, 1999 and were sentenced to three years and four years respectively.

The monks staged a peaceful protest on March 10, 1999 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising day amid tight security. They raised pro-independence slogans in front of Tsuglakhang, the central cathedral of Tibet. Within minutes they were arrested by Public Security Bureau. They were first taken to the local police station in Barkhor and were later detained in Gutsa Detention Centre. Reports received at that time indicated that the monks were severely beaten at the police station. It is believed that they are currently held in Drapchi Prison.

Phuntsok Legmon, 17 year-old from Toelung Dechen County, received three years prison sentence and two years' deprivation of political rights. Namdol, 25 year-old from Phenpo Lhundhup County, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and deprived of political rights for one year. Both the monks are from Taglungdrag Monastery in Toelung County near Lhasa City.

Four elderly Tibetan political prisoners were also present at the time of sentencing. Ama Lhundup Wangmo, Pa Tashi, Mo Tsephel and Sonam were arrested on August 20, 1998 on suspicion of indulging in political incitement amongst elderly Tibetans. The Court did not issue any verdict on them that day and reportedly stated that their cases need further investigation. The present place of detention of the four is not known.

Since early 1998 elderly Tibetans have been gathering occasionally around Jokhang Temple in Lhasa to offer prayer. Chinese authorities have attached political significance to this gathering serious and imposed strict surveillance on them since mid-1998. Ama Lhundup Wangmo who is in her sixties, from Tsemonling, in Lhasa City was arrested after officials from the Lhasa Public Security Bureau raided her house on August 20, 1998. She is known to be actively involved in visiting political prisoners. She was arrested on two occasions on suspicion of involvement in political activities in 1987 and 1993. Failing to gather any evidence against her she was released after a brief detention. Pa Tashi, from Lhasa Chingu, Ama Tsepak (Tsephel) from Lhasa Shol and Sonam were also arrested on similar ground.

Since February this year, security has been intensified in Tibet to prevent any public protest on March 5 and March 10, which corresponds the 10th anniversary of the 1989 Tibetan demonstration and the 40th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising. It is reported that PSB and PAP officials, and local police stations in Lhasa were issued with emergency orders to be alert in all political sensitive areas in Lhasa on these events. Orders were issued prohibiting residents of Lhasa from assembling two or more people in public places. Official circular was also sent to all educational institutions and government departments. Members of the institutes and departments were ordered to remain inside office and refrain from going outside. Any member who wished to travel was required to seek permission from their local offices.

The Chinese authorities are also imposing strict measures of restriction on people coming to watch the National Minorities Sports Meet, which is scheduled to be held in Lhasa from August 15, 1999 onwards. A large number of people from outside Lhasa are expected to visit Lhasa for the event. Strict vigilance is still being observed in Tibet to prevent any disturbances.

A week before the 64th birth anniversary of the Dalai Lama, Chinese authorities distributed leaflets banning Tibetan people to celebrate the occasion. On July 6, the day of the birthday, movement of Tibetan people was restricted and Chinese police patrolled on the way to Ngachen Township near Lhasa City to block every Tibetans from going to the "birthday village." (a place specifically set aside for incense burning ceremony on the birthday of the Dalai Lama.) A monk from Gyutoe Monastery in Lhasa City named Lobsang Choephel went to Ngachen but was reportedly arrested on the way and received severe beatings.

Another 60 year-old man was returning to Ngachen when he was stopped and his bags were searched. On finding Tsampa (roasted barley flour often used as an offering to dieties) in his bag, he was accused of planning to commemorate the occasion and was beaten severely. The leaflet stated "the celebration of the birthday is against the law of the country as the Dalai Lama fled Tibet since 40 years and not only does he head his clique but also never stopped his splittist activities." The custom of celebrating the birthday is viewed as propagating acts of splittism and instigating masses to oppose the Chinese government. The document also warns that henceforth this event is completely banned and failure to abide this shall be seen as ignoring Chinese law and dealt with accordingly.

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Last updated: 29-July-99