By Tenzin Dharpo
Dharamsala, July 18: Five Tibetan nongovernmental organizations based here carried out a protest march here Saturday in solidarity with the suspicious death in Chinese prison of Tulku Tenzin Delek on , “demanding that the Chinese government provide a clear answer regarding the murder of Rinpoche.”
The march from Tsuglakhang to the District administrative premises (Kacheri) was organized by Students for a Free Tibet India, Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, Gu Chu Sum Movement and National Democratic Party of Tibet to protest not only the ‘death in detention’ of a prominent Tibetan teacher but the irreparable and reckless handling of the aftermath that followed in places such as Nyachula and Chengdu both in Sichuan province where peaceful protesters were shot and beaten who were pleading for the body of the deceased.
At least a thousand people including foreigner supporters took part in the procession with placards, banners, posters, Tibetan national flags and photos of Tulku Tenzin Delek. “Murdered in cold blood, Justice for Tulku Tenzin Delek” a banner with a portrait of Tulku read.
“An innocent human being is first falsely incriminated and later murdered and yet justice has not been delivered, it is indeed a sad thing”, a Tibetan college student told Phayul.
The organizers’ demand in broad strokes insist the “intervention of United Nation” and “independent inquiry” into the particular case and an immediate halt to the human right violations taking place inside Tibet.
At the closing of the march, the bereaved cousin of the Tulku, Gyeshe Nyima, vowed to launch continued action until clear answers and explanation are made public surrounding the death of the Tulku from Lithang.
Tulku’s sister and niece were detained on the morning of July 17 in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan. Although no official remarks from the Chinese officials have been given, it is believed that they were detained on suspicion of sharing information surrounding the death of the Tulku.
