Category: 
For Immediate Release
June 16, 2008
Contact:
Tsewang Rigzin +91 9805247259
Tenzin Choedon +91 9756969133
Pema Dorjee +91 9927606204
MARCHERS TO REACH TIBET BORDER AREA ON EVE OF CHINA’S TORCH RELAY IN LHASA
King of Askote gives Tibetan marchers traditional reception at his palace
Pithoragarh - On the eve of China’s Olympic torch relay in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, 50 Tibetans marching to Tibet are approaching Dharchula, the last Indian township before the Tibetan border. The marchers are currently in Dunga Toli in Pithoragarh district, and are expected to arrive in Dharchula on the morning of Tuesday, 17th June. On Saturday the marchers were give a reception by the king of Askote at his palace.
“Beijing is wielding the Olympic torch as a bludgeon against the Tibetan people who are already suffering under virtual martial law,” said Ven. Ngawang Woeber, President of Guchusum, an organization founded by former political prisoners. Ven. Woeber is a former political prisoner who was imprisoned by Chinese authorities after participating in the protests of 1980s. “We reject China’s lies as we march for freedom, truth and justice.”
China has deployed additional military troops on the Tibet side of the border with orders to shoot at any Tibetan who might come from Tibet toward the Indian border to support the marchers. The Indian police already arrested 265 Tibetan marchers on 4th June in Berinag, but another group of 50 marchers restarted the march at the same place on Monday, 9th June.
“Beijing has betrayed the commitments it made to press freedom in its bid for the Games,” said Tenzin Choeying, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet. “The stakes are higher than ever as China parades its torch through Tibet. For the sake of protecting Tibetan lives, Tibet must immediately be opened to international media.”
On Saturday, the king of Askote, Rajwar Sahib Bham Raj Singh Pal, gave the marchers a traditional reception at his palace. “Before 1959, we used to receive Tibetan traders who brought salt from Tibet,” said the Askote Raj. “In 1959, Tibetan refugees escaping Chinese brutalities came this way and we gave them shelter. And now again, it is now honor to host this group of Tibetans making their journey home. No matter how long it takes, the Tibetan people will eventually win out of oppression.”
The March to Tibet started on March 10th from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, and reached Banspathan after traversing through many states. Tibetans living in exile in India launched the March to Tibet as part of the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement. On the same day that the march was launched, monks from monasteries in Lhasa, as well as in eastern Tibet, led nonviolent demonstrations, shouting slogans supporting the Dalai Lama and independence for Tibet. Chinese authorities brutally suppressed peaceful protests that continued for days, leading to rioting in the capital and a wave of large public demonstrations that have rippled across the country.
The March to Tibet and the Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement aim to revive the spirit of the Tibetan National Uprising of 1959, and engage in nonviolent direct action to bring about an end to China’s illegal occupation of Tibet.
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With you all in spirit from Dharamsala.
[...] Domani 50 persone che hanno aderito alla Marcia del ritorno in Tibet raggiungeranno Dharchula, l’ultima città indiana al confine con il Tibet. [...]
Take care to your health. Wish that your aim would be fulfilled as you get nearer to the border.
My heart is with you and supportive of all that you are screaming at the world to notice.
Your courage and determination in search of truth and justice inspires us. I pray for you (all) safety and success.
With my deepest respect to all the Marchers.
you are the hope of the world
Hello everybody!
First of all well done to the Tibetans returning to Tibet, we are all with you. Here in Italy (Rome) Sunday 15th we had a demonstration to support you and your return march. I am personally very much involved with Tibet and I always do my best to keep very active!
On 8th August all around the world people are asked to lit a red rocket (not dangerous!)to support the cause of Tibet. Please go to http://www.sadsmokymountains.net for futher info and join in! Pick a mountain, or hill, or tall building, take a photo or simply write the name of the pot and of your group, post it on the link above and join this great project! Spread the voice too! Thank you. tashi delek. Free Tibet. Rangzen!