21 Tibetan Activists who were released after serving 15 days in Tihar Jail were today applauded with public reception
New Delhi, October 25: Tibetans Youth Congress (TYC) activists who were arrested by Delhi Police for storming the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on October 10 were finally released on bail today after serving 15 days in Tihar jail.
All the 21 activists have been booked under nine different sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) after they were arrested for storming the Chinese embassy to protest against China’s “New religious regulatory measures on reincarnations”.
Over 300 people gathered at today’s public reception function, which was being organized by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Sameyling (MT). Tibetans in Majnu-ka-tilla and members of the regional Tibetan associations offered Tibetan ceremonial scarves to all the activists.
Tibetan Youth Congress Centrex Vice President Mr. Dhondup Dorjee addressed the gathering about the significance and purpose of the campaign. Mr Dorjee said, “Since 1959, all the successive Chinese regimes have failed to win the hearts and minds of the Tibetans inside Tibet. They are now forcefully targeting the Tibetan Buddhist Culture with the re-intensification of patriotic re-education campaigns within the monasteries. The recently passed new religious regulatory measures on reincarnations is an obvious attempt to legalize their repressive policies”
TYC Centrex member Mr Tenzin Norsang, on behalf of all the arrested members, shared their experiences in Tihar Jail. He said: “During our stay in Tihar Jail, we organized a function on 17th October to celebrate the conferment of gold medal to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama by the US Congress. Tihar Jail superintendent graced the function as Chief Guest. Other staff members of the jail and prisoners from six different countries also took part in it. We served them Tibetan Butter Tea, Dre-sil, and performed Tibetan cultural dances to celebrate the day.”
Mr Yangchen Chomphel from Kollegal Tibetan Settlement, who tried to self immolate during the Tibetan People’s Mass Movement on August 8, 2007, was also present during the function. He was charged under section 309 of IPC for attempting a suicide by the Parliament Police station and served behind bars for 64 days in Tihar Jail.
Vice president of TYC, submitted Memorandums dated 10th October 2007 to the Indian Prime Minister, Secretary General of United Nations, President of International Olympic Committee, and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of UPA.
The Metropolitan Judge of Patiala House Court number 15 Mr. Sanjay Bansal gave the verdict on 24th October 2007 to release all 21 activists on bail and said the Court would notify them of the next hearing date to appear before the court.
Based on report filed by Tibetan Youth Congress
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Tibetan activists storm New Delhi Chinese Embassy
