Tibetans-in-exile in Dharamsala have alleged that China has stepped up oppression ahead of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).
China has ruled Tibet with an iron fist since troops took over the region in 1950, and those controls often extend to ethnic Tibetan areas in other parts of China.
A news report by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) says the security meetings for the golden jubilee celebrations are being convened in TAR by Chinese soldiers and policemen.
Public places like restaurants and hotels have been put under surveillance and restrictions have been placed on the movement and activities of Tibetans. Postal services in the region have also been cramped.
The TAR was established on 1 September 1965 after the People's Liberation Army invaded the region in 1949. Tibet later signed an agreement with China in 1951 after which the Tibetan government was converted into a local government.
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An official circular by China's State Post Bureau on August 11 called for strict control over all channels of communication between TAR to Beijing from August 20 to September 12. The names of all people who use the postal services during this period will be registered and verified, said the circular. Internet activities are also to be scrutinized.
"They have completely banned or closed the post offices and they are not allowing to send parcels specially those such as chemicals and politically sensitive materials through post offices. They have directed all the post offices in TAR as well as some other parts of Tibet to completely close on that anniversary. Even in case of kids, they used to have toys right? They've completely banned all those kids to play and Tibetan people to gather peacefully," said a researcher at TCHRD, T. Sangdey.
Tibetans-in-exile said the above measures were mere tactics of China.
"This is a tactic the Chinese have been using and has used, when they first came to Tibet, by dividing Tibetan territories into two categories. This is called divide and rule policy. And now the TAR is being celebrated as the 50th anniversary. So it's a propaganda by the Chinese government. So they are organizing different kind of propaganda spectacles, basically telling lies top the Chinese people back in mainland China and to the outside world," said TCHRD spokesperson, Tenzin Ninjey.
The exiled Tibetans in Dharamsala alleged that preparations of the jubilee celebrations have worsened the bad human rights conditions of their dear ones in the Himalayan country. Heavy travel, religious and assembly restrictions have been imposed on them; they are required to hoist the Chinese flag, hang portraits of Chinese leaders in their homes and participate in state-organised functions.
China claims to have liberated Tibet, but Tibetans say otherwise. After the uprising against China in 1959, Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama fled into exile in India in 1959.
The Chinese government rejects criticism that it has repressed Tibetan religious freedom and culture, saying its rule has ended serfdom and brought development to a backward region.
The government says resettlement gives herders access to health care and schooling and lets them benefit from China's booming economy by offering new job opportunities, like working in tourism.
