Strict lockdown in Tibet, demonstrations are being held against China

Footage has emerged which shows that there have been large-scale demonstrations against China in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. These demonstrations have taken place against the strict Kovid lockdown. Several such videos have been shared on social media in which hundreds of people are seen protesting and clashing with the police. There has been a lockdown in Lhasa for the last three months as there were cases of Kovid there.

It is said that these demonstrations took place on Wednesday and continued till the night. In a video, hundreds of people are seen gathering on the road and officials are stopping them from one side.

An appeal for peace can also be heard in a loudspeaker. In that message, an officer is asking people to understand the situation and go back. In another video, a large number of people can be seen performing at night and a person can be heard commenting on it.

The person is saying in Mandarin, “People have been locked in their homes for a long time and many of these people have just come for work in order to earn some money. If he had found work in the mainland of China, he would not have come here.

In another video, people are seen marching on the streets and the banner reads – “We just want to go home.

However, the BBC could not independently verify these videos. These videos have been removed from social media in China but are circulating on Twitter.

Tibetan sources told Radio Free Asia (RFA) news agency that protesters warned they would set themselves on fire if restrictions were not lifted. However, it is not clear what the warning meant.

What do the people of Lhasa have to say

Another source said there were apprehensions that clashes between civilians and police could turn violent.

A resident of Lhasa told the BBC she could not watch the demonstrations because she was still in lockdown, but had seen several videos circulating in chat groups.

“People are locked in their homes and life has become very difficult. Inflation has increased significantly in Lhasa Landlords are looking for tenants to rent. Workers are not being allowed to go to their hometowns. There is no other way left for them. This was said by the citizen of Lhasa who does not want to reveal his identity except by surname.

“People want to know if they will be able to go back from there.” Han told that he has been in lockdown for the last 80 days. He also told that people have the freedom to move around in their compound for several hours but they cannot go out.

“How will it be known what is the exact figure of Kovid at this time. Every day we hear that people need oxygen. The government can report whatever number it wants.

The BBC saw many such posts on China’s platform Doyin like Tik Tok, in which people are telling that they are stuck in Lhasa due to the restrictions of Kovid.

One post said, “It is the 77th day of lockdown in Lhasa. I don’t know how long this will go on. I don’t see hope. You can understand what a difficult time this is for a migrant worker.

Another post said, “For three months we have no income, but expenses have not come down in the slightest. How long can my friends stuck in Lhasa stay like this?”

Covid cases in Lhasa

There has been no official response to the demonstrations in Lhasa, although local officials said on Thursday that eight new cases of Kovid have been reported in Lhasa.

Footage of the demonstration has been removed from China’s social media platforms. However, people on the Chinese social media platform Doyin kept searching “what happened tonight in Lhasa”.

Lhasa has been under lockdown since August. Human rights organizations claim that many Tibetans have committed suicide since the lockdown.

China’s zero covid policy has saved people’s lives, but it has also had a bad effect on people’s lives and economy. People are fed up with the lockdown as well as travel is banned.

2008 rebellion

Wednesday’s demonstration is believed to be the biggest in Tibet since the 2008 uprising. In 2008 violence killed 19 people. At that time, Chinese security forces were accused of taking barbaric action to quell the rebellion.

After that incident, Tibet was closed to foreigners and tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers were stationed in the area.

Tibet is an autonomous region of China and Beijing says there has been a lot of development during the autonomous rule.

But rights groups say China continues to commit human rights violations and political and religious persecution. However, China has been denying such allegations.