Dharamsala, September 29 – The Tibetans on Saturday commemorated the 16th anniversary of the fist major political outbreak after the 1959 uprising against the Chinese regime.
On September 27, 1987, a score of Tibetan monks from Drepung monastery gathered at Bharkhor, the main market in Lhasa, and shouted pro independence slogans. Thousands followed the monks in what turned out to be the first political outburst since 1959.
At a modest function here at Lhagyal Ri, the Gu-chu sum movement, an organisation of ex political prisoners, remembered the sacrifices made by the Tibetan martyrs. The day began with Lhabsol, a Tibetan Buddhist ritual where offerings are made to the gods. Former Kalon Lobsang Dhargye, the Chief Guest of the occasion, inaugurated three books published by the Gu-chu-sum movement to mark the occasion.
The organisation also staged a candlelight vigil later in the evening which saw a huge gathering of Tibetans and Tibet supporters expressing solidarity with the brave Tibetan patriots who laid down their lives for Tibet and who are still languishing in Chinese prisons.
A press release issued by the organisation expressed its pleasure over the success of the Tibetan delegation in reviving fresh contacts with the leadership in Beijing.
” The past two delegations have been able to mend relations between the two governments to some extent, we convey our warm felicitation to the delegation for their achievement”, the release said.
