By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, October 15: A group of over100 Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) activists including President Tenzing Jigme and Secretary Penpa Tsering were arrested today for protesting against the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Margao, Goa.
In India to attend the 8th BRICS Summit in the coastal state, President Xi was welcomed with protests from TYC activists who gathered at Margao Circle, one of the busiest intersections of the city, shouting slogans such as ‘Free Tibet’ and ‘Stop the demolition of Larung Gar’.
According to TYC’s Information Secretary Tsewang Dolma, the Goa Police arrested Tenzin Jigme and Penpa Tsering at around 12:30 p.m. along with others for protesting against Xi.
“Today we are here to demand Xi Jinping to end the illegal occupation of Tibet and we also want to highlight the current demolition of Larung Gar Buddhist Academy where thousands of Tibetan monks and nuns are being displaced against their will. The world needs to hear this,” Jigme said.
Meanwhile, a group of activists belonging to the Students for a Free Tibet India also carried out protests outside the Dabolim Airport where Xi landed to arrive for the BRICS Summit. Dhasal, 20 year old Tibetan Woman Activist who raised the Tibetan National Flag with ‘Free Tibet’ Banner in Goa said “I did this action to protest Xi Jinping who is responsible of all the Human Rights violations in Tibet. Over 144 Tibetans have self immolated to protest against the Chinese Rule in Tibet and called for Freedom and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Tibetan Non Violence movement will continue until we end the illegal occupation of Tibet by China.”
Ahead of the Xi’s visit to India, over 100 activists of the largest pro-independence group yesterday took to the Chinese Embassy in the capital to protest against China’s illegal occupation of Tibet and the ongoing demolition of Larung Gar.
Xi will have bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today during which issues like India’s NSG membership bid and China blocking UN ban on JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar are likely to take top priority.
