Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 30: Chinese authorities in Kyungchu County, Amdo Ngaba (Ch. Aba) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, have detained Tsongon Tsering, a Tibetan youth from Tsaruma village, who posted a video exposing illegal mining by the Anhui Shanhe Construction Company, according to Tibet Times.
Tsering was initially summoned by local authorities on October 22, where he presented his concerns and suggestions. After the meeting, he was permitted to return home. However, recent reports indicate that he is now in detention. Several other residents of Tsaruma village were also summoned and questioned but have since been released. Meanwhile, Tsering’s Kuaishou account, where he shared video and voice messages detailing illegal activities, has been blocked.
“Tsongon Tsering has been arrested and detained. He is currently being held in Kyungchu County, though family members and villagers are hoping for his prompt release,” an anonymous source told TT.
In his video posted on October 15, Tsering documented the company’s illegal sand and gravel extraction along riverbanks near Tsaruma since May 2023. The operations have polluted local waters, disrupted the environment, and impacted the livelihoods of local Tibetans. The affected rivers feed into Asia’s major rivers, the Machu (Yellow River) and Drichu (Yangtze River).
Tsering, 29, is the only son of Phurko, who is around 60, and Wangdron, in her fifties. He is known in his community for his dedication to addressing local issues and advocating for environmental protection.
