On 13 July, following the death of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, over a thousand Tibetans gathered in Nyagchuka (Chinese: Yajiang) county, Kardze (Ch: Ganzi) prefecture, Kham (now incorporated into China’s Sichuan proviince). Local Tibetans gathered in several locations, including Rinpoche’s monastery in Othok village to say prayers and pay their respects and outside the local government office in Thang Karma near Othok. The crowd in Thang Karma called on the authorities to release Rinpoche’s body to allow a traditional funeral and demanded answers surrounding the circumstances of the monk’s death.

In response to the protest, the local authorities deployed security forces who attempted to disperse the crowd by firing shots into the crowd, using tear gas and beating protestors. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Local sources reported that road blocks were set up in the county and surrounding areas, travel in the area had been severely restricted and communication lines cut.