[17. January 2012] Radio Free Asia

Protests have spread across Tibetan-populated regions of western China amid calls for freedom from Chinese rule and to refrain from celebrating Losar, the traditional Tibetan New Year, next month, according to sources in the region and in exile.

On Tuesday, a group of about 10 Tibetans gathered in the Drasar township of Chigdril county in Qinghai’s Golog (in Chinese, Guoluo) prefecture to protest rule by Beijing, a local Tibetan said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A protest also erupted on Sunday, when a group of “about 30 to 40” Tibetans gathered in the Pema county seat in Golog to call for the return of the Dalai Lama, a Tibetan living in Belgium said, citing contacts in Pema town. Read more