By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu, May 9 – About 150 Tibetans protested this afternoon again at the Chinese Consulate in Nepal for the second consecutive day. It has now become a daily affair in Nepal. The activists have been protesting relentlessly since March 10 to exert pressure on China to improve and resolve the situation in Tibet. The protestors have been regularly calling for a ‘Free Tibet’ along with other demands to improve human rights condition in the region. A total of 126 Tibetans were arrested and detained at Metropolitan Police Barrack No.2 at Maharajgunj and one person was injured during arrest.
Two buses full of Tibetans reached near the Chinese Consulate in Hattisar, who then rushed towards the gate shouting ‘Long live the Dalai Lama’, ‘China liar’ and ‘Stop killing in Tibet’. Another bus came from the Kamal Pokhari end. Over a dozen activists lay in front of the gate protesting briefly. Police showing restrain on adopting brute force arrested all the protestor in about half an hour, however many of them were still kicked, punched, pulled by the hair, dragged and thrown into police vehicles. A protestor while talking about the use of force said, “It depends on the area of protest, some police officers are brute while some are not. I think a lot depends on the discipline of individual policeman whether to obey or disobey the commanding officer”.
Today’s protest for the first time saw a geriatric, a Tibetan woman of about 70 take part. All the protestors have been young so far including scores of monks and nuns. Jampa, who had broken his finger on an earlier protest was seen protesting again. Another Tibetan, Tashi Gelek who suffered a broken wrist as a result of police cruelty during Monday’s protest at the Chinese Embassy in Baluwatar was present as well. Likewise, Sonam Tashi who required three stitches in his mouth after Monday’s protest was back. Though present they could not participate actively in the demonstration due to poor physical condition.
Meanwhile, the ongoing 24 hour relay fasting protest at Swayambhu Hill organized by the Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum entered its 27th day with participation from 73 people including 20 nuns and a local Nepali man. Elderly Tibetans have also been gathering daily at the Tibetan Community Center in Boudha for mass prayer and accumulation of Mani and Tara mantras for all those who have died in the recent crackdown in Tibet.
