By Kalsang Rinchen
New York, August 5 – As the six hunger strikers entered their ninth day without food and water, the Delhi police today took them to Ram Monohar Lohia Hospital for emergency medical care. More than 200 Tibetan supporters formed a human chain to block the police from reaching the hunger strikers. TYC say that about 87 people have been arrested today.
Around 500 policemen gathered around Jantar Mantar, and arrested the Tibetans who were stopping the police from reaching the hunger strikers.
All the six hunger strikers were said to be in a critical condition, among them Wangdue Phuntsok is said to be in an extremely serious state. Except Wangdue, all the hunger strikers are monks. The police and medical team say that if he did not get immediate medical attention he might not live. B. K Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Conaught Place, said that the condition of the Tibetans was worsening and the police don’t want anyone to die.
Sodhak, 31, one of the hunger strikers chanted in Hindi as he was being carried towards the waiting ambulance, “Pyari hai pyari hai, azzadi sabko pyari hai, Baari hai baari hai, ab humari baari hai” (freedom is dear, freedom is dear, everyone loves freedom, it is turn, it is turn, Now it is our turn)
The hunger strike without food and water is a part of the TYC’s Mass Movement.
Tenzin Dasel in Delhi contributed to this report
