Tibetans in Machu county, a Tibetan area in today's Gansu Province, protested the corrupt practices enforced by the Chinese government.
The protesters were mainly college graduates who were seeking jobs and frustrated with the government's policy of favoritism in hiring Chinese migrants to replace them.
According to sources, the fifteen individuals that were detained following the peaceful protest had previously held low-level positions in the government till the local officials forcefully issued an order for their resignation.
Sources also say that some of their replacements were brought from outside Machu county, and that some secured their positions not based on qualifications, but by using influential connections.