Pasang Tsewang was originally classified by the Chinese authorities as belonging to the “poor peasant” class following the 1959 Tibetan Uprising and was subjected to political indoctrination in Gyangtse. In the early 1960s, during the period of heightened tension between India and China, he became involved in an underground resistance group known as Deydhon Tsokpa (“Welfare Association”) in Phari. This secret organisation was formed to support Indian forces in the event of further conflict by undermining Chinese military operations, including sabotaging communications and seizing weapons.

In 1967, during a border clash, Pasang Tsewang carried out one such act of sabotage by cutting Chinese telephone lines. The group’s activities remained undiscovered until 1970, when the poisoning of a suspected informant led to the exposure of the organisation. All 21 members were arrested. Pasang Tsewang was detained on 25 December 1970 and subjected to severe torture during interrogation. He was brutally beaten, losing all his teeth, and endured further abuse, including having his hair pulled out in bunches.

While several members of the group were executed and others received lengthy sentences of hard labour, Pasang Tsewang was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment in Phari Prison for his role in cutting the telephone lines in 1967. After his release, he remained under close surveillance by the authorities. In August 1972, he was again accused—this time of overcharging Chinese soldiers for medicinal herbs—and faced the threat of a new trial. Fearing re-arrest, he fled Tibet with his deaf and mute brother, reaching Bhutan on 18 August 1972.