Chinese officials have allegedly destroyed more than 300 Buddhist stupas and a revered image of a spiritual master in Drakgo County, within the Karze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, according to a report by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

The destruction reportedly took place in late June or May 2025 at Lungrab Zang-ri, near Janggang Monastery. Chinese troops dismantled hundreds of medium-sized stupas significant to Tibetan Buddhist heritage, along with three large stupas. The authorities also demolished a recently erected statue of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, founder of the Serthar Buddhist Institute, as well as a venerated statue of Guru Padmasambhava — also known as Guru Rinpoche — whose name translates to “precious master” in Tibetan, the CTA report stated.

Chinese authorities have imposed tight control in the region. “Anybody who attempts to communicate information or discuss the destruction with others in non-restricted areas is arrested on the spot for ‘leaking state secrets’,” the CTA said. Access to and from the site has been completely blocked. Authorities have justified the demolition by claiming the structures were built on “government land” and violated unspecified regulations. The rubble from the demolished sites has been cleared, leaving behind no visible remnants of these sacred landmarks, the report added.

The report also points to a broader crackdown on Tibetan monks, scholars and other influential figures. Tibetans resisting state-led cultural “re-education” have reportedly been detained without explanation, imprisoned for long periods, and excluded from mainstream society. In some cases, individuals have disappeared or been secretly executed.

This repression intensified further when Tulku Hungkar Dorje was interrogated multiple times and falsely accused of “not welcoming China's appointed Panchen Lama,” composing long-life prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and opposing Chinese state policy through his education work in Golog, Amdo.

According to the CTA, after being forced to flee to Vietnam, he was later found dead in Chinese police custody on March 28. The report says his death resulted from a secret arrangement between Vietnamese and Chinese authorities. “Without explanation, both nations remained silent, concealed information, and conducted an undertreated funeral in secret,” the CTA stated.

Newly imposed regulations now prohibit all Tibetan monks, spiritual masters, and recognised reincarnated lamas from openly performing religious rituals. Some individuals have reportedly been placed under house arrest. This ongoing suppression has created an atmosphere of fear and despair among Tibet’s Buddhist communities.

The crackdown has continued in Drakgo County. In June, new restrictions were enforced throughout the Karze region linked to the demolitions. In July, during the international commemoration of the 90th birthday and teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Chinese government banned all public gatherings in Karze and surrounding areas up to and including July 23, 2025, the CTA reported.