On 5 March 1989, Dorjee Namgyal was arrested after participating in a peaceful demonstration against the Chinese authorities in the Barkhor district of Lhasa. During the protest, he was shot at close range, sustaining severe gunshot wounds to his right hip and left shinbone. Despite his critical condition and heavy bleeding, he attempted to escape but collapsed within moments. A bystander later carried him to a hospital, where he remained in a grave condition.

On the evening of 7 March, Chinese security forces raided the hospital in search of Dorjee. At that time, he was unconscious and physically unable to be moved. Over the following weeks, officials repeatedly returned to monitor his condition, assessing whether he was sufficiently recovered to be taken into custody.

After seven weeks, Dorjee was discharged and allowed to return home. However, approximately one month later, police arrested him again in a coordinated operation and transferred him to Gutsa Prison. There, he was subjected to prolonged interrogation and severe torture, marking a continuation of the violent repression he had already endured for his participation in a non-violent protest. He was later moved to Drapchi prison, where he faced torturous ordeal.