By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 31: A Tibetan youth was reportedly stabbed last night and pronounced dead on arrival at the Dharamshala zonal hospital around midnight. The cause of death is believed to be excessive bleeding caused by stab wounds on the abdomen. The scene of accident is a few meters ahead of the Green Hotel on Bhagsu road.
The Additional Superintendent of Police, Pankaj Sharma told reporters that the investigation is under way, and that the details will not be shared so as to not hinder the ongoing investigation. He confirmed that the Tibetan youth is dead and the post mortem will be conducted shortly.
A reliable source to Phayul revealed that three prime suspects have now been arrested and will be presented before the judicial magistrate today in Kachieri, Dharamshala around 4pm.
The unfortunate incident happened when the deceased, Tsultrim Chokden, aged 29, and his female friend, also a Tibetan, were returning after a dinner at Lhasa restaurant to Amdo village, a residential area beside the Bhagsu road, where many Tibetans live.
The two Tibetans were allegedly teased by three Indians on a motorbike near the Tibetan Settlement office where the deceased and the three Indians had a verbal argument after which the two proceeded on to Amdo village. The two managed to pass just a few meters ahead of the Green Hotel that the three men came from behind on bike and beat the deceased and stabbed him on the abdomen, according to sources. The girl was pushed aside when she tried to intervene. The three Indian youth then fled the scene on bike towards Bhagsu Nath.
Dried bloodstains believed to be of the deceased could be seen as forensic experts and police began their investigation.
The accompanying Tibetan girl called the police following which deceased was taken to Zonal Hospital where he was pronounced brought dead.
The deceased Tsultrim Chokden is from Chusang township in Tsongon in Tibet. His Childhood friend Singye Sangpo who had been a fellow monk with the victim in Tibet told Phayul that the deceased came to India in 2003 and went to Drepung Gomang monastery in Mundgod, South India. He was staying in Dharamshala since 2009. Tsultrim disrobed around that time and over the years had stints in Mentsekhang, a private establishment near Gopalpur, Norling Kunphenling School and the British Council in Delhi studying poetry, English and computer during those times.
Singye Sangpo said, “After I knew of the incident last night, I tried calling him. His phone was ringing but no one picked up. That was around 2 am. Later I was informed that he had been taken to hospital in dashoe (lower Dharamshala).
He was a normal fellow who was good in the subjects he was learning especially English and computer. We both passed our courses at Norling Kunphenling a few months ago.”
