E/CN.4/1992/17 page 14 There he was placed in Block II and, since then, held in solitary confinement. In these circumstances, fears were expressed that his state of health had been affected. Letters and Government replies 44. On 14 February 1991 the Special Rapporteur sent a letter to the Government of China transmitting information alleging torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in Tibet, including several nuns who were detained and allegedly tortured in Gurtsa prison, after taking part in pro-independence demonstrations. Most of the reported arrests occurred during 1989 but two occurred in 1988 and 1990, respectively. The following detailed cases were transmitted: (a) Ugyen Dolma, aged 21, from Shugseb nunnery, arrested on 17 May 1988 at Barkhor and held in Gurtsa jail for two months. Her torture allegedly included being beaten until she was unconscious, and being sexually assaulted with an electric prod; (b) Namdol Tenzin, aged 18, from Tsangkung nunnery, arrested twice in 1989 for a total period of five months and held in Gurtsa prison. Her torture included electric shocks applied to fingers; (c) Puntsok Lamdru, aged 18, from Chubsang nunnery, arrested on 15 October 1989, in Barkhor, together with two other nuns and held in Gurtsa prison for 10 months. The three nuns were allegedly beaten until they were unconscious and sexually assaulted with an electric prod; (d) Kusang, aged 25, from Ani Tsangkung, arrested in March 1990, and sentenced to one year in prison. She was being held in Gurtsa prison. It was alleged that she was slashed with a knife, choked and tied in contorted positions. It was further alleged that she became insane as a result of beatings at Sangyip following her arrest; (e) Ani Kalsang Palmo, aged 24, from Shungseb convent, arrested on 17 May 1989 together with several other nuns and monks and held in Gurtsa prison. Her alleged torture included being bitten by a dog, being brutally beaten and sexually assaulted with an electric prod and being deprived of food and medicine for several days. 45. In addition to the aforementioned it was alleged that Lhakpa Tsering aged 20, was tortured to death on 15 December 1990 at Drapchi prison, north of Lhasa. Lhapka Tsering was reportedly arrested on 4 November 1989 for pro-independence activity and was held in Gurtsa prison for several months. It was reported that the other inmates in Drapchi prison had heard him being beaten in his cell and crying out that he was going to be killed. The same sources alleged that the body was seen to "bear many bruise marks". It was reported that a post-mortem was to be conducted, but that the findings had not been published. 46. On 9 May 1991, the Government provided the Special Rapporteur with detailed information concerning two of the persons mentioned in his letter: