On August 1, 2007, Runggye Adak, a nomad from Lithang, Kham in eastern Tibet was arrested for publicy calling for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

During the Lithang Horse Racing Festival in Tibet, Runggye took the microphone on the stage and called to the crowd, "These days there are those who say we don't need the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is the one that we six million Tibetans truly [need]...".