Tibetan environmental activist dies in hospital following treatment in prison

Kunchok Jinpa, who participated in huge protests in Driru in 2013, died earlier this month.

Free Tibet has received news that a Tibetan tour guide and environmental activist died earlier this month following injuries sustained in prison. Kunchok Jinpa,  from Chaktse Village in Driru, a county in Nagchu Prefecture, had been serving a 21-year prison sentence when he was secretly taken to hospital in November with severe injuries. He was 51 years old.

Kunchok Jinpa’s arrest stemmed from protests against a mining project at Naghla Dzambha Mountain in Driru in 2013. According to Tibet Watch’s sources, local authorities tried to begin mining activities at the Naghla Dzambha Mountain in October 2013. The mountain is considered a holy and sacred site and the plans to carry out mining there prompted thousands of Tibetans to protest. The demonstrations were met with a violent crackdown in which thousands were arrested. Kunchok Jinpa shared information of these non-violent protests with the Tibetan community in India. He also called for environmental protection and a ban on mining in the region.

Meanwhile, Driru County was subjected to further harsh measures including further mass arrests, more intensive surveillance measures and numerous propaganda campaigns. All communication channels were restricted and the Internet was shut down. Villagers were forced to fly the Chinese flag outside their home and those Tibetans who refused to comply were arrested. Protests spread to other parts of the region. Due to the severe restrictions and block on communications, the whereabouts and condition of thousands of those who have been arrested in these protests remains unknown to this day.

Kunchok Jinpa