Dharamsala, April 10 – Around 35 Tibetans were arrested by the Nepalese police in Katmandu yesterday, reported AFP citing police. Tibetans in Nepal staged a candle light vigil in Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist area, condemning verdicts by a court in Lhasa.
On Wednesday, the Lhasa Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak to death while two other Tibetans, Tenzin Phuntsok and Kangtsuk, recieved suspended death sentences with two year reprieve. Another Tibetan named Dawa Sangpo was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Tibetans carrying the Tibetan national flag, banners, placards and pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama chanted prayers as they walked but were forced immediately into waiting police vehicles.
Tibetans in Nepal have been holding regular protests since March last year but they have been severely curbed by the Maoist government. China recently lauded Nepal for curbing anti China activities on its soil and announced 1.5 Billion rupees in grant for Nepal. This is the largest amount that Nepal has received as aid from China.
Around 20,000 exiled Tibetans live in Nepal which is also a transit for many Tibetans fleeing their homeland.
