Massive rally in Dharamshala calls for international intervention in Ngaba crisis

Friday, October 14, 2011

Phayul

DHARAMSHALA, India-- Tibetans and supporters in the exile seat of Dharamshala, northern India carried out a massive rally today demanding the Chinese government to immediately rescind its repressive policies in Ngaba, eastern Tibet.

Tibetan monks raising slogans demanding the Chinese government to withdraw its troops from Kirti Monastery in Ngaba region, eastern Tibet during a public rally in Dharamshala, north India on October 14, 2011. (Phayul photo/Norbu Wangyal)

This year alone, six Tibetans in Ngaba have torched their bodies protesting Chinese government rule over Tibet. Three have succumbed to their injuries.

The rally organised by the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest pro-independence group in exile began from the Martyrs Pillar at Tsug-la Khang, the main temple and concluded near the Himachal Government Secretariat offices in Lower Dharamshala.

The marchers, for nearly three hours, walked down the winding roads carrying Tibetan national flags and shouting slogans demanding Tibet’s independence and international intervention in the ongoing crisis in Ngaba.

All Tibetan businesses in Dharamshala remained closed in solidarity with the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Speaking at the rally, Dhondup Lhadar, vice president of TYC said that the “desperate actions” of the young Tibetans inside Tibet was targeted at alerting the world on the “ongoing atrocities being committed by the People’s Republic of China”.

“In return, we in exile stand with them in solidarity and honour their sacrifices by raising our voices in the freedom struggle for Tibet,” Lhadar said.

Announcing their course of action, TYC in a press release said that it will lobby political leaders and influential people especially in the member states of G20 to “condemn China for its atrocities” and also organise protests and vigils at Chinese embassies and consulates all over the world.

TYC is also urging Tibetans and Tibet supporters to light a lamp every night on your windowsill to “express your respect and solidarity” for the Tibetan martyrs.

“We are calling as many Tibetans and Tibet supporters in Europe to join in the protests against Hu Jintao at the G20 summit in Cannes, France,” said Lhadar.

Later in the evening, the regional chapter of TYC organised a candle light vigil in honour of Tibetan martyrs.