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KATHMANDU, May 17, 2004�Chinese authorities have released two popularTibetan musicians two months after detaining them, Radio Free Asia (RFA)reports. Relatives of Namkha, a Tibetan singer, and Bokocha, a monk andcomposer, have said the men weren�t mistreated in custody.
Chinese security forces returned the two men around May 5 to a spot about 10kms from a county known as Kawasumdo in Tibetan and Tongde in Chinese,according to sources who asked not to be named. "A large group of familymembers, monks, and friends went to receive them," one source told RFA�sTibetan service.
Neither of the men has spoken in detail about his detention, and preciselywhere they were held remains unknown, the sources said. Relatives said themen weren�t mistreated, although Namkha appeared to have an injured shoulderon his return. Namkha�s relatives declined to comment on his health and saidhe was unavailable to speak on the phone. Bokocha, who was in retreat at thetime of his arrest, has already resumed his retreat, sources said.
"The arrest of Namkha and Bokocha brought the local monasteries and thecommunity together," said one source. "There are four monasteries in thearea� Every one of those monasteries organized prayers for their release.Even the local community were very much united behind them."
Another source said the two men appeared to be under continued watch byChinese security officials and under some additional restrictions. Nodetails were immediately available.
The two men were arrested around March 10 in Tongde County, a traditionallyTibetan area now part of China�s Qinghai Province, apparently because of theimplicit political content of their music. Chinese State Security officialswere also reportedly confiscating all of Namkha�s CDs and warned local monksof "serious consequences" if they were found to possess Namkha�s music,sources said.
One song, titled "King�s Messenger," begins: "Dear youths of Tibet/Those whoare left behind in Tibet should not remain timid./Raise your head withpride,/I am the messenger of the King." Another song that appears to havedrawn official ire is titled "Amdo Pogoe," meaning "Courageous Amdo Man."
Both men come from a nomadic area in China's Qinghai Province. Bakocha is amonk at the Ba Shangtse Monastery in Tongde County.
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