Lhakpa Wangyal, a former monk of Nalanda Monastery in Phenpo Lhundrup County, was involved in pro-independence activities in Tibet during the early 1990s, including posting and distributing political posters calling for Tibetan independence.

In February 1995, Chinese authorities launched a crackdown on the monastery, arresting several monks and enforcing a “re-education” campaign. Security forces conducted raids, used violence against protesting monks, and detained many on charges such as possessing the Tibetan flag and engaging in “counter-revolutionary” activities. Several monks were sentenced to long prison terms and subjected to torture and harsh conditions in detention, particularly in Drapchi prison.

The crackdown resulted in the detention of around 32 monks and the expulsion of about 70, significantly reducing the monastery’s population.

After completing his prison term on 22 February 1998, Lhakpa Wangyal was placed under strict surveillance and barred from rejoining the monastery. Due to continued restrictions, he fled Tibet on 23 November 1998 and arrived in Dharamsala, India, on 14 January 1999.