On 31 October 1999, Chemi Gyaltsen and six others were arrested during a peaceful protest in Kardze County, where approximately 3,000 Tibetans gathered to demand the release of three detained individuals. Despite the non-violent nature of the demonstration, Public Security Bureau officials opened fire on the unarmed crowd and forcibly dispersed the protest.

Following the crackdown, at least ten people were detained. Nine of them were later sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, a term that was subsequently increased to ten years. In an effort to intimidate the local population, the prisoners were publicly paraded through their village, and reports indicate that two detainees were subjected to physical beatings while in custody.