Sonam Dorji, commonly known as Lugu, was a former monk of Ganden Monastery. His involvement in pro-independence activities led to his arrest and a three-year prison sentence in Sangyip Prison. While in detention, on 20 May 1991, he openly denounced the Seventeen-Point Agreement and declared that Tibet was a free nation. As punishment, his prison term was extended by a further one and a half years, and he was transferred to Trisam Prison in Toelung, where he was subjected to harsh forced labor.

After his release in 1993, Sonam Dorji was expelled from Ganden Monastery. He later worked for a period at the Lhasa Tengyur Studio. On 14 June 1996, he was arrested again and is currently being held at Gutsa Detention Centre on suspicion of involvement in bombings that took place in Tibet the previous year.

According to reports from Tibet in April 1997, monks at Dechen Choedrak Monastery in Lhogonkhar were issued red and blue identification cards by the authorities. Red cards were given to those labeled as “patriots,” while blue cards marked those accused of following the so-called “splittist” government. Newly admitted monks were reportedly issued blue cards by default, reflecting increased political control and surveillance within monasteries.