For Immediate Release
March 13, 2008
TIBETAN MARCHERS SENTENCED TO 14 DAYS IN DETENTION
Refuse to sign “no protest” bond
Dharamshala - 99 Tibetan marchers and 2 organizers, arrested early this morning while on a protest March to Tibet. They were sentenced to 14 days in judicial custody after appearing before the Senior Division Magistrate in Dehra. The protesters refused to sign a bond saying that they will not participate in any further protest activities for the next 6 months. They will now be held under house arrest in Yatri Niwas, a government run guest house at Jwalamukhi some 53 kilometers from Dharamsala. Indian police have set up checkpoints on the roads leaving Dharamsala and are reportedly checking all buses for any Tibetan protesters that may be trying to leave the area. Some buses have even been turned around.
“We condemn this decision by the Indian authorities to treat these peaceful Tibetan marchers as criminals,” said Chime Youngdrung, President of the National Democratic Party of Tibet and member of the Organizing Commitee of the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement. “The March to Tibet is a non-violent initiative meant to help end the suffering of the Tibetan people living under brutal Chinese occupation. All of the participants in this march remain committed to continuing their journey home. We demand their immediate and unconditional release and we call on the Indian authorities to guarantee their safe passage through Indian territory.”
Background
On orders from the Central Government, at approximately 6:30am, Indian police blocked the March to Tibet and forcibly removed all Marchers from the road at Dehra bridge, 63 kilometers from Dharamshala. The police first detained Tenzin Tsundue, a high profile Tibetan activist, carrying him away as he shouted “Bhoe Gyalo, Victory to Tibet.” The 99 Tibetan marchers then sat down on the road, linking arms and chanting Tibetan Buddhist prayers. Indian police broke up the crowd, carrying each marcher away and loading them into 5 police buses.
The Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement is a global movement of Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet taking control of our political destiny. The March to Tibet, the heart of the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement, aims to revive the spirit of the historic national uprising of 1959, and by engaging in direct action, bring about an end to China’s 60 years of illegal and brutal occupation of Tibet.
For more information please contact:
Campaign Coordinators:
Tsering Choedup: +91 9418 221 605
Sherab Woeser: +91 9418 394 426 Dhasa / 9868 332 883 Delhi
Contact:
Tsewang Rigzin: +91 9805 247 259 (President, Tibetan Youth Congress)
B. Tsering: +91 9418 792 810 (President, Tibetan Women’s Association)
Ngawang Woebar: +91 9418 102 483 (President, GuChuSum Ex-Political Prisoners’ Mvmt)
Chime Youngdrung: +91 9418 069 179 (President, National Democratic Party of Tibet)
Category: 
There are 9 comment(s) so far ;)
Indian people have gained their own Independence by this exact same method, marching behind the Mahatma!
Free The March, Free Tibet…
LHA GYAL LO!
It is indeed sad and very poor decision from the Indian govt.
If not for Tibetans at least for India they should let these peaceful marchers go back home and support our movement for India’s own gain,since in todays time its all about profits and no moral stands,still Tibet’s freedom will have more benefits to the Indians then Tibetans.
We are with you and we support you. We have writed to the India’s ambassade in France for free the march.
Peu Gyalo
Tibet vaincra
This is a disgrace to the Indian Government and its glorious past of non-violent movements which helped it to gain independence. I hope the Indian government realizes its error and swiftly releases the marchers to resume their non-violent walk to Tibet.
India being a birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, who taught the world about Ahimsa(Non-violence) and its ligitimacy to be practice in any place, any time and any where around the world is now witnessing this sorry state of Indian Government depriving the Tibetan refugee to follow what their Father of nation has preached. If the soul of Mahatma Gandhi would be seeing what Indian government and the Kangra police is doing to appease the Chinese government, he surely would be shedding tears of blood. Oh ! Mahatma Mahatma, What is your vision of India ? A Free country who support the just or a pathetic country who appease a devil. SP Saab, What did you learn about your country’s history in your school. Did you know what is Mahatma’s lesson to the people of India. India is called a mother of Democracy but the picture you are giving to the world does not befit this high regard. Jai Hind and Jai TIBET.
To the Marchers:
Your bravery and determination continues to inspire us all! Your actions, have been, and will continue to be echoed across the globe! Here in Canada and in the rest of world, we support your every step.
TIBET WILL BE FREE!!
Tashi Delek.
I live in authoritarian Belarus and track hard struggle
of my Tibetan brothers and sisters for independence.
I always inform the Russian-speaking sector of LiveJournal-blogers
about latest news of Tibet and Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement.
As activist of non-violent national resistance in Belarus
and as Tibetan bonpo I wish my Tibetan brothers and sisters:
support for the gods and people, force, confidence, freedom and victory!
More than 200 years
my people together with other people’s
are resisting the occupiers under martial slogan:
FOR YOUR AND OUR FREEDOM!
–
Andrej Mikalajeu
Miensk, Belarus
http://nicolaev.livejournal.com/tag/tibet
India being a greatest democratic nation in the world and their independence achieved primarily through the non violent movement led by Mahatama Gandhi should have encouraged the peace marchers, instead of treating them as criminals. It`s an act of covertness under Chinese pressure and reprisal. Tibetans are fully conscious of the sympathy, moral and financial support received from the Indian Govt. the first disparate Tibetan political refugees crossed the Indian border. We are highly indebted. The exiled community of Tibetan extended hand of Indian friendship to be blessed by a strong stand on a right demand of the Tibetans, stand behind us giving a sincere political support to regain the independence, and to bide farewell to their guest returning to Tibet. But this arrest is unjustifiable but a Chinese hand in Raj Bhavan. It`s an act of great disgrace to the Indian who love peace and promote non violent movements.
The Central Administration of Tibetan Govt. of exile should have firm political stand that do not cross beyond the aim of Tibetan people and their demand. It seems that the exiled Govt. willingly justify the arrest of the marchers and decisions of Central and local restrained orders. Let`s keep aside the question of Olympic in China. There will be games even in several corners of China and Tibet will be arrest and torture to thousands of peoples demanding basic human rights and right to live independent. The exiled Govt. need not worry or stand for China nor any sympathetic declaration would conciliate China. This march is morally supported by all Tibetans and the elected members of Cabinets should stand by them, if can`t lead the movement. How it`s possible to passed the days in office, while 36 sisters are in Tihar Jail on hunger strike and many in Kangra district. Tibetans in Tibet expressed their support to the marchers by risking their life. We can imagine the fate of those arrested. Dharamsala should condemn India policy toward Tibetans instead of promoting laws and orders of India. Most educated Tibetans are fully aware of Indian laws, and the five non governmental groups planed and led the marchers according to International law of right to walk, right to express, right to raise voice against individual and state criminals.
The Govt. of Dharamsala, if can`t join this movement, at least can move to Delhi for an answer and condemn such decisions to the international community.
Every Tibetans are with the marchers, Tibetan women in Tihar and those under Chinese arrest. It`s time that Dharamsala should react positively and not to dissuade them. It`s painful.
Thanks to these brave brothers and sisters, notice of Tibetan cause and fight for freedom is much talked in this side of the world.
It´s hard to understand Indias actions, why do states forget their own history? It´s very sad to see how they treat their brothers and sisters who only asks for a life they have chosen themselves.