Ngawang Jamchen, a 20-year-old native of Gonggar County, Lhoka, joined Drepung Monastery in 1988. He later participated in protests calling for Tibet’s independence and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He was arrested on 27 September 1991 and detained at Gutsa Prison for three months, where he was subjected to intense interrogation and torture.

In December 1991, he was convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, along with the deprivation of political rights for two years, and was subsequently transferred to Drapchi Prison. He was released on 26 September 1996, later escaped into exile, and arrived in India on 5 July 1997.