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Washington Post
By Krittivas Mukherjee
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A group of Tibetan exiles marching towards China said on Thursday that Indian police had impounded their food trucks and arrested their leaders to break up a protest walk that began almost three months ago.
Tibetan exiles, now numbering about 300, began walking on March 10 from the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala, the seat of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, to join in protests against Chinese rule inside Tibet.
One of several high-profile activities intended to draw attention to demands that China grant independence to Tibet, the march was stopped by police at the weekend near a restricted military zone that stretches to the Chinese border.
The marchers, surrounded by police, are now camping near Almora town waiting for an opportunity to get to the border about 200 km (125 miles) away.
A statement from the marchers said police were holding five of their top leaders and had confiscated their fourth and last truck carrying food supplies.
“But the 300 marchers remain committed to returning to Tibet,” it said.
Although police say no direct orders have come from the central government in New Delhi, they say there have been general discussions on how the protesters should be dealt with.
Five foreigners with the group, including an American and a Norwegian, were told to leave the country within seven days for breaching their visas.
The march was organized by several prominent activist groups, including the Tibetan Youth Congress.
The Dalai Lama has said he thought the march was dangerous and pointless.
But the marchers say their action was an effort to show solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet and their resolve to win their freedom from China.
“At a time when Tibetans inside Tibet continue to be detained, disappeared, tortured and killed for their beliefs it is our responsibility to tell the world of their suffering,” said Karma Sichoe, a member of the march organizing committee.
(Additional reporting by Abhishek Madhukar; Editing by Jerry Norton)
There are 3 comment(s) so far ;)
I’m quite surprising that you guys even never think about this will happen for sure at the first place.
Think about the reality: Most countries ban all the political activities against neighboring countries by refugees on their soil. Whatever you believe in your own activities, it doesn’t matter. India will following the rules that most of (not all)the other countries would follow. China is not a trivial one. India has its own position that happens to be not matching yours.
If you could face the reality and didn’t exploit the tolerance of India government earlier, you could avoid the difficult situation today that eventually will hurt yourself.
Think twice about the consequence and predict what will definitely happen. It’s not difficult to do that if you can stand in others (India governments) position
Good luck
George Bush:
Indian Government has deployed 17000 police for Delhi Olympic Torch Relay. One protester is mobbed by 12- 15 police.
Its not tolerance. All democratic country allows protest which are non violent.
India do not practice true democracy.
Peaceful protests should be honored and the voices should be heard. Gandhi received a Nobel Peace Prize; His Holiness the Dalai Lama did too. There should be respect from India for what the Tibetans are seeking to accomplish. But it is understandable how many countries may fear retalliation from China. That is not a good way to be. It’s like everyone is afraid of the bully in the schoolyard.