By Tenzin Sangmo
New Delhi, May 26 – The March to Tibet took an unfortunate turn today with Indian authorities ordering five foreign supporters to leave the country within a week. Maryla Cross from Poland, Jim Peterson from the United States, Paul Christians Buntz from Norway, Edward Lex Pelger and David Huang from the United States have been with the marchers since March 10 from Dharamsala.
Even as March Co-ordinator Lobsang Yeshi and 18 others remain in judicial custody in the Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand, the District authorities have served immediate notice to the foreigners.
“They are all Tibet supporters and supporters of this non-violent movement. It’s really disturbing for us and the marchers to see them leave us after months of walking together,” said Ngawang Woebar, President of Gu-Chu-Sum, the Ex-Political Prisoners’ Movement of Tibet.
Having traversed over 900 kilometers through North India in the blazing summer sun, the marchers are now camped at Banspatan in Uttarakhand adjoining the Tibet border. Citing concerns B. Tsering, President of the Tibetan Woman’s Association stated, “We appeal for the immediate release of all those detained and expect that the matter will be resolved quickly, and that the March will resume soon.”
The restricted military zone that stretches to the Tibet border which the marchers were trying to cross is off limits. Though the Indian Government has allowed peaceful demonstrations and marches within the Indian territory authorities claim that they will not allow Tibetan refugees to cross the border without necessary documents.
Tenzin Tsundue, a key figure said, “I know returning to a homeland that is still under foreign occupation is not easy. Chinese military will, of course, guard the border with machine-guns. Even Indian police will find an excuse to stop us. Confrontation is inevitable, but we are not stopping. We may even have to camp at the border for a long time, might have to call for international support and participation. We march into uncertainty.”
