By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, November 6: The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Thursday condemned what it called an attempt by some individuals on social networking sites to disrupt peace and harmony between the Tibetans and the local Indian community following the murder last week of a Tibetan youth in McLeod Ganj, the virtual capital of the Tibetan Diaspora.
However, the statement by Kashag did not seem to have gone down too well for some netizens who have expressed their disappointment with the Kashag for not condemning the murder and referring to it as ‘incident’.
Appealing the public to remain vigilant against such anti-social elements and maintain peace, the Kashag (Cabinet ) said in the statement, “Following the incident, some mischievous individuals are spreading messages on the social media to disrupt peace and harmony between the Tibetans and the local Indian community.”
“The three culprits are undergoing trial and law will take its own course. We have full faith in India’s judicial system.”
There is an apparent concern among local Tibetans over the many comments made on social networking sites regarding the recent killing of the Tibetan youth. “Of course, it is sad that a Tibetan youth lost his life for just helping a friend get home in the night. And the guilty must be booked. But in all this we must not forget that turning it into a communal issue is not going to do any good to anyone,” said Tenzin Namdak, a Tibetan artist.
Fake videos and images are being shared through Facebook and other social messaging applications, which many fear could disrupt the peace and harmony of the area.
Tibetan Settlement Officer, Sonam Dorjee on November 3, appealed Tibetans to refrain from spreading rumors through social media about the individuals involved in the incident. He also prompted that ‘it is our collective duty of report to the police those who are spreading rumors.’
Reminding the need for cordial ties with locals, he said, “India and its government have been very kind to the Tibetans. They may be few bad individuals but because of the few we cannot jeopardize our relationship with the rest.”
He also urged Tibetans to proceed according to the wishes of His Holiness and refrain from using abusive language against the local Indians.
The police apprehended all the three culprits Kailash, Rinku and Mahesh Kumar on 31 October and have registered a case under section 302 of the IPC against them. They are appearing before the Judicial Magistrate today.
On November 2, the prime witness in the case, a Tibetan girl who was with the deceased on the night of the murder, identified all the culprits in front of a Sessions Court Judge.
The incident happened when, Tsultrim Chokden, 29, and his female friend, were returning after a dinner at Lhasa restaurant to their rented house in Amdo village, a residential area beside the Bhagsu road on the night of October 30.
The two Tibetans were allegedly teased by three Indians on a motorbike near the Tibetan Settlement office where the deceased and the three Indians had a verbal argument after which the two proceeded on to Amdo village. The two managed to pass just a few meters ahead of the Green Hotel that the three men came from behind on bike and beat the deceased and stabbed him on the abdomen, according to sources.
The deceased, from Chusang Township in Tsongon in Tibet, was taken to Dharamshala Zonal Hospital where he was declared brought dead.
