New Delhi November 4 – Tibetan settlers in Delhi breathed a sigh of temporary relief as they were given ‘Provisional Regularization Certificate’ by the Indian government. The Tibetan camps at Majnu Ka Tilla and Budh Vihar were among the Indian capital’s 1000 colonies that received the certificate guaranteeing temporary relief from demolition drive.
A function was held in Majnu Ka Tilla yesterday to welcome the positive development. Tibetan parliament’s deputy speaker Gyari Dolma, His Holiness’ Delhi representative Tempa Tsering and other Tibetan dignitaries were present at the occasion. Delhi’s Congress MLA and a long time supporter of the Tibetans, Prahlad singh Sahni, awarded the certificates to the Tibetan families.
The two Tibetan residential areas in the Indian capital came under the danger of demolition in 2006. The Indian government’s projects that threaten the Tibetan community are road widening on National Highway-45 that runs along the settlement and beautification of Yamuna riverbed.
Majnu Ka Tilla, now known as New Arunanagar colony, serve as a commercial hub and a major transit point for exile Tibetans travelling in and out of India – would be reduced to dust if the Tibetans fail to turn things around in their favour.
Though the Tibetans embraced this new development, they are yet to receive a permanent solution to their problem which continues to haunt them.
The Tibetan refugees started settlement on the bank of Yamuna in 1959, immediately after Tibet was invaded by China.
Delhi Development Authority (DDA) brought down two structures in Majnu-ka- Tilla on September 4, 2007. The Delhi high court had in 2006 issued an order not to carry out any constructions in the locality.
