Only three people allowed to circumambulate in a group

Tibetan pilgrims and temple visitors continue to face intense restrictions that were introduced days before the 62nd anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day, 10 March.

Tibetan visitors are being thoroughly frisked before entering the temples and only three people are allowed to gather in a group. It has been forbidden for more than three people to carry out the kora (a ritual in which Buddhists circumambulate temples in a clockwise direction) together.

The Jokhang Temple compound, and Bharkor streets in which Tibetans circumambulate around Jokhang, are packed with Chinese police and security personnel who are carrying out security checks specifically on Tibetan visitors.

Police inspection in front of Jokhang Temple, Lhasa

An image from Lhasa shows three police officers around one person under heavy snowfall in front of Jokhang temple; one thoroughly frisking the man, another checking his bag, and the third registering information.

Sources in Lhasa say that there has been a huge presence of heavily armed Chinese police and military personnel around Jokhang Temple and Chagpori (a sacred hill near Potala Palace) since the days before 10 March.

Armed police under snowfall

 A source said, “We have stopped visiting the temple and going for kora for now. The atmosphere is scary and we do not want to take any risk”.

In addition to the heavily armed police and military personnel, Lhasa has seen several helicopters in the air monitoring the activities of the people in the streets.

Han Chinese citizens are exempted from these strict measures and are able to move around freely.