By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, October 1: One of the TYC activists on indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in the Indian Capital had to be taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after she was found to be having persistent stomach ache and severe dizziness as the strike entered its 21st day on Wednesday.
“Her stomach ache and migraine got especially worse last night which the police on watch saw and immediately escorted her to the hospital. Although she (Tsewang Dolma) wasn’t willing and kept saying she will not go to the Hospital,” TYC President Tenzing Jigme told Phayul.
Tsewang Dolma was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital by the Delhi Police against her wish, said Jigme.
He also added that the police had been on alert since the last few keeping a close watch on the three activists following visible deterioration in their health.
Tamding Hrichoe and Tenzin Wangchuk have lost on average around 14-15 kilograms since the start of the campaign. Tsewang Dolma more seriously has shed almost 20 percent of her body mass and now weighs a mere 32 kilograms, according to the index chart maintained at the TYC campaign site by a volunteer nurse.
She is currently being treated at the RML government hospital and her conditions have improved since last night, said Jigme.
While Tamding Hrichoe and Tenzin Wangchuk continue to fast the campaign entered its 22nd day.
Indian Union Cabinet Minister and animal right activist Maneka Gandhi expressed her support to the campaign in a letter while also condemning the repressions taking place in Tibet. Canadian politician Cheri Dinovo who is a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario has also expressed his support to the hunger strikers.
The demands of the largest pro-independence group through the campaign include raising the issue of Tibet by the United Nations member states at its General Assembly and Human Rights Council Session, and calling China to address the demands of the self immolations in Tibet. It also seeks China to give evidence that the 11th Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima is alive, and to allow a fact-finding UN delegation to assess the current critical situation in Tibet and release of all political prisoners.
In their latest press release, TYC expresses their disappointment over the lack of action by the UN. “While we pray for a quick recovery for her we are outraged that the UN has still not responded to the cries of the Tibetan people,” the TYC said in a press release.
