Demolition of Larung Gar Monastery by China 'inhuman', 'unconstitutional': Former Tibetan PM-in-exile

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], Oct. 11 (ANI): Former Tibetan prime minister-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche has termed demolition of Larung Gar Monastery and eviction of thousands of monks and nuns in his homeland as inhuman and unconstitutional. Rinpoche said it was not for the first time that Chinese authorities had completely demolished Larung Gar, as a similar drive was carried out in 2002-03 after which the monastery was reassembled day by day. "I think the Chinese government is more concerned those people who from mainland China and they are coming there more and more and become a big monastic institution so they are doing it again so what I can it is just condemning the act is not enough. It is inhuman and it is against their own constitution," said Rinpoche. Larung Gar, a valley in the China-administered Sichuan province in East Tibet, where thousands of monks, nuns and students, who come to study, reside and live together. The population of over 40,000 comprises primarily monks and nuns, making it one of the largest religious institutions in the world. Exiled Tibetans and rights groups say China, which took control of Tibet in 1950, has tried to stamp out religious freedom and culture in the Himalayan region. China rejects the criticism, saying its rule has ended serfdom and brought development. (ANI)