Dharamshala, India: - Ms. Decki Chhoyang, Kalon for Ministry of Information spoke to reporters after Chinese students beating Tibetan students and breaking into their dormitories and class rooms in a Chinese vocational institute in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.Ms. Dicki Chhoyang, information minister of the Central Tibetan Administration told reporters that she was deeply disturbed and concerned by recent reports of confrontations between Tibetan and Chinese students at a school in Chengdu town of Chinese Sichuan Province, which led to several Tibetans being hospitalised after they were beaten by an overwhelming number of Chinese students.
"The Central Tibetan Administration is deeply disturbed and concerned by news of confrontations, on December 14th 2011, between Tibetan and Chinese students at the Railway Engineering School in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan," the Information & International Relations minister told Tibetan reporters Tuesaday during a press conference here in Dharamshala, India.
"About 3,000 Chinese students are reported to have entered into a fight with a few hundred Tibetan students. Several Tibetan students are said to have been hospitalized due to injuries," the DIIR kalon said.
Kalon Dicki Chhoyang expressed concern over similar reports of tensions between Tibetan and Chinese students in the Chengdu area in 2010, when a Tibetan student named Pasang was stabbed to death at the Light Engineering School in Zigong city. "It remains unknown whether the assailant(s) were arrested and prosecuted," she added.
"In light of these recent events, we encourage Tibetan students to focus on their studies and maintain cordial relations with other fellow students in keeping with our traditional values. Our pride in our Tibetan identity and heritage does not rest on a show of physical force, but through academic excellence," she added.
"With Tibetan students reported to study in 12 cities in mainland China, the Chinese government must ensure their personal safety," she said.
"In keeping with its claim to build a harmonious society, we hope the PRC government will take the necessary measures to promote good relations between Chinese and Tibetan people. Consequently, such efforts will facilitate positive interactions between Chinese and Tibetan students," she added.
"The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration would like to reiterate that the Tibetan struggle is neither anti-China nor anti-Chinese. We strive for the restoration of freedom in Tibet through peaceful dialogue," the minister said.
OVERVIEW
December 16: Over 3000 Chinese students went on a rampage Wednesday night, beating Tibetan students and breaking into their dormitories and class rooms in a Chinese vocational institute in Chengdu.
Many Tibetan students have been reportedly hospitalised carrying severe injuries. After the school authorities failed to quell the clashes, police had to be called to control the situation. More than 1000 People's Armed Police personnel arrived at the scene and reportedly hurled tear gas to disperse the crowd.
