With the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India touted as a prospective landmark development with a promise of a new impetus in the bilateral relations, Indian Government’s curb on the political activities by the Tibetans has attained a new milestone akin to the ones in a despotic regime. The onslaught of the Delhi and the Bangalore police, restricting the freedom to voice the concern and the anger of the Tibetan people to the leader of the occupying nation through constant vigilance and patrolling, arrest, detention, house arrest, phone tapping and imprisonment etc. is utterly regretted by the Tibetans who always love and respect this country as their second motherland. The entire administrative officials were red alerted over the TYC underground networks with personals deplored every nook and cranny of the cities to nib the bud of the TYC planning and anti-Wen campaigns. All the telephones of the TYC leaders were trapped to intercept all incoming and outgoing calls to detect information on campaigns.
Despite heavy security, a contingent of over 70 TYC activists stormed Delhi based Chinese Embassy on the 9th morning, Over 41 of the activists comprising 16 women and 26 men were arrested and detained in Tihar jail for over 5 days under section107\151\CrPC. Pa Kunsang, the 78-year-old freedom fighter who earlier participated in the 46 day Unto Death Hunger Strike in Delhi in 1998 was the oldest activist. Besides, several women over 60 years of age were also in the Protest Demonstration. The next day, over 17 TYC activists distributed pamphlets and raised slogans and went on campaign survey at India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, PM Offfice etc accompanied by Aaj Tak correspondent. The event got huge coverage in the television network the next day.
In the evening, unfortunately, over 54 TYC activists who were stationed at Kalkaji, were cordoned off by over 200 Delhi Police and were then taken to the Kalkaji Police Station and charged of conspiring for civil disturbance. Later they were kept under vigil and heavy police deployment at the Guest House they were stationed.
Meanwhile a protest demonstration participated by over 250 activists of RTYC Bylakuppe, Kollegal, Hunsur, Mysore and Bangalore was held at the city of Mysore. A press conference to denounce the visit of the Chinese Premier was also conducted by the regional executives, receiving a major coverage in the city.
The activists of the Tibetan Youth Hostel Bangalore were detained at the hostel with severe restriction on their movements. Mr. Pema Tsetan and Mr. Gelek Pasang, RTYC Bangalore Executives were arrested and imprisoned in the Central Jail, Bangalore as a preventive measure by the local authorities along with Mr Tenzin Tsundue and other activists of FoT(INDIA).
The afternoon of the 10th April saw, three TYC girl activists successfully breaching the security for the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and entered Hotel Taj Palace where Mr. Wen is scheduled for a meeting with the leaders of various political parties of India. The girls had planned to raise slogan and dishonor Mr. Wen in front of the glare of the world media. However the surprise security shift at the eleventh hour snatched the rare opportunity they have created for themselves with such labour, tact and dare.
The next day, four activists including the three girls successfully traverse through all the four main security gates at IIT Institute, South Delhi where Mr. Wen is scheduled to have a programme. The activists finally reached the entrance of the Dogra auditorium of IIT where the Chinese premier was having interaction with IIT students. When they were on the verge of entering into the hall, security personal recognized them and reprimanded them at the outset. The very moment, the activists unfurl the Tibetan national flag and raise anti-Chinese slogans for about 10 minutes. The commotion attracted the attention of the people around and media personals reached the spot to record the incidence. Over several scores of police forces converged upon to arrest the activists who were then locked into a truck and taken away to the nearby Haus Khas Police Station. Later in the evening, they were locked up in Tihar Jail under section: 107/151/348 Cr.P.C.
Meanwhile over 20 members of TYC have been keeping a close vigil positioned in and around Domestic and International Airport for the departure of the Chinese premier through the airports. Since the prior knowledge of the imminent surprise protest demonstrations by the TYC, a surprise last minute security arrangement for the departure of the Chinese Premier was made at the Indian Air Force’s airfield to avoid the Tibetan ire.
Meanwhile, the 54 Tibetan demonstrators who were put under house arrest at Kalkaji were released on the night of 12th and were escorted to ISBT Bus Station for departure to their respective places. The members were utterly frustrated for the detention and their failure to stage continuous demonstration to vent their anger. Nonetheless they reaffirm their strong commitment to take part in more TYC activities in the near future.
Those 41 people who were arrested for demonstrating at the Chinese Embassy were released on the night of 13th April. They were imprisoned in Tihar Jail for 5 days. They were warmly received at the main entrance gate of the Jail by RTYC Delhi and the residents of Tibetan Settlement, Majnu-ka- Tilla. Later, a reception function was conducted at the Tibetan Settlement where the activists were felicitated with the offering of traditional scarf. The local assembly, camp leaders, RTWA and other Associations of Majnu-ka-Tilla and Bodh Vihar, hosted a dinner in the honour of the activists. This was followed by an address by the Mr. Kalsang Phuntsok, President, TYC. Joint secretary Mr Jigme Thinlay and Information Secretary Mr. Dhondup Dorjee gave a detail report of the TYC activities undertaken during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
The three girls and the boy who were arrested on 12th April at IIT Institute were also released from Tihar Jail on personnel bond on the evening of 14th April. The TYC executives felicitated them by hosting a dinner in their honour. Thus concludes the campaigns by the TYC activists and volunteers from various regions of Paonta Sahib, Puruwala, Dekyiling, Herbertpur, Dharamsala, Shimla and Delhi and Bangalore etc. But the campaign must go on …for a FREE TIBET.
