Dharamshala — Chinese authorities have arrested approximately 80 Tibetans for protesting against illegal gold mining activities carried out by a Chinese company in Kashi, Sershuk County, Zachukha, in eastern Tibet. The Tibetans were beaten, some had broken ribs, and were treated inhumanely while in detention in the county. According to reliable sources, many of them have still not been released and seven people are missing. The villages are surrounded by Chinese armed forces, who are closely monitoring the Tibetans' every move.
Tenpa Gyaltsen, Deputy Director of he Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) of CTA held a press conference regarding Chinese illegal mining and arresting of 80 Tibetans in Kashi, Kham, Zachukha, in eastern Tibet, on December 16, 2025, in the TPI hall in Gangkyi, Dharamshala, HP, India. He calls on China to release the arrested Tibetans and immediately halt gold mining activities. He also urges the international community to pressure the Chinese government to release the Tibetans and stop mining. In addition, he encourages Tibetan NGOs to organise protests against the CCP's illegal activities and raise public awareness of the critical situation in Zachukha.
According to the source, local Tibetans learned that a Chinese company was conducting illegal gold mining activities at a site known as Serkhok (Gold Valley) in Kashi village, Sershul (Zachukha) county, on November 5, 2025. The Tibetans then attempted to stop the gold mining, which exacerbated tensions between local Tibetans and Chinese miners. Chinese authorities intervened, but instead of addressing concerns about the mining activity, municipal officials dismissed their objections, stating, "You have no right to intervene. The ownership of this land belongs entirely to the government. We will investigate and make the necessary decisions." Officials reportedly claimed that the villagers' attempt to stop mining was illegal.
Years of reported repression, combined with the authorities’ refusal to address environmental or community concerns, led to rising frustration among locals. What began as a dispute quickly escalated into a confrontation between villagers and government representatives.
On the evening of November 6, 2025 at approximately 6:50 p.m.local time, authorities began what residents describe as systematic, door-to-door arrests in Kashi village. Individuals were allegedly detained and transported to Sershul County for interrogation. Local sources estimate that around 80 Tibetans have been detained, though the exact number remains unknown. Several people reportedly remain missing, with families unable to obtain information about their whereabouts.
Residents report that the united front office, public security bureau, armed police, and township officials jointly sealed off the entire Kashi township shortly after the arrests began. The Chinese authorities allegedly held a meeting warning local people not to speak about the incident, saying it must “never be leaked to higher levels or to the outside world,” and that any such disclosure would be treated as a serious criminal offense.
Chinese Security forces reportedly raided homes, conducted invasive searches and confiscated mobile phones. Chinese armed police and military personnel are said to now patrol all roads and public areas, detaining individuals even for suspected disapproval of the mining operation.
The gold-mining incident is not isolated, according to residents. Mining activities in the region have reportedly occurred repeatedly since the 1990s. Locals allege that officials from Sershul County and township authorities, along with private businessmen, have vested interests in mining and have facilitated decades of environmentally destructive projects. Under the guise of “development,” authorities have also built dams and opened additional mining sites that residents say have caused severe ecological harm to local rivers, grasslands, and sacred landscapes.
Community members report that Kashi township authorities have for years imposed heavy restrictions on Tibetan religious and cultural practices. Currently, these restrictions reportedly include: allowing only four monks to gather for prayer at local monasteries, prohibiting public mani (prayer) gatherings, preventing elders from conducting circumambulation during major festivals, banning gatherings of more than ten people, prohibiting students from attending cultural workshops or study programs during school holidays. Residents say these measures form part of a daily pattern of control over Tibetan cultural life.
The situation in Kashi township is described by locals as “extremely tense.” With communications cut, arrests ongoing, and movement heavily restricted, villagers express fear for the safety of family members and uncertainty about what may follow.
Updated situation in Sershul County, in middle of December, 2025, Tibetans were arrested were not allowed to urinate or defecate day and night, and were not allowed to sleep. Each day they were given only a small amount of cold Tsampa water (roasted barley flour mixed with cold water) as food and nothing else. After intense and violent interrogation, some had their ribs broken, some developed kidney disease, and some both physically and mentally weak. Medical tests were performed at Shershul County hospital, however, reports were not disclosed in entirety. Signatures were forcibly obtained on pledges related to commitments not to provide information about the situation to the outside world. Many elders were arrested and their phone records were thoroughly investigated and they were advised and warned against spreading the news and were sent home.
Again, the next day or day after that, they were called in for re-education, and their mobile phone records were manually checked to closely monitor whether information about the situation was being sent out or not. Some of Tibetans imprisoned who fell ill were released, while others were released after forcing them to sign pledges of not protesting against the mining activity and not to provide information about the situation to the outside world, and were forced to sign witness document stating that the local Tibetans have beaten Chinese officials without any valid reason.
The whereabouts of seven Tibetans who were arrested among many in the month of November are still unknown. They have been forcibly disappeared. Only people who are authorised by the government are allowed to speak to the journalist. Local Tibetans are prohibited from speaking to them. Cameras, recording devices, and monitoring equipment were installed in many people's homes to monitor and record conversations, restricting freedom of expression and movement of the people.
