Delhi, Oct 15 - Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), the largest Tibetan NGO in exile working for the freedom of Tibet and the Tibetan people has presented a letter to the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh informing him about the current situation in Tibet and has requested him to speak for Tibet when he meets with his Chinese counterparts in Beijing next week.
PM Singh is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping as well as Premier Li Keqian on his trip to China. Reports in the Indian media state that the two leaders will talk about environmental, trade and border issues.
TYC acknowledges that the visit will mainly consist of talks in regards to the overall benefits of the two nations but remains optimistic that both sides realize the need for the issue of Tibet to be resolved soon. "We believe that a lasting peace and security for India lies in a free Tibet. A Tibet without China's military presence is the only assurance you can have of an India free from constant Chinese incursions as well as ludicrous claims", says Tenzing Jigme, President of TYC.
TYC Vice President Tamdin Hrichoe, Culture Secretary Tashi Dhondup, Finance Secretary Tenzin Wangchuk and members of TYC chapter in Delhi delivered the letter to the Prime Minister's office today.
"We have informed the PM about the current crisis in Driru region of Tibet where peaceful protestors are being shot at, beaten and imprisoned along with the situation of self immolations inside Tibet where the number has now reached 121", said Jigme. In recent days, Tibetan residents of a restive county in the Tibet Autonomous Region have clashed with police while resisting a new campaign to fly the Chinese flags from their homes, according to international media sources.
According to media reports, "thousands of Chinese government officials and workers arrived in Nagchu (in Chinese, Naqu) prefecture's Driru (Biru) county on September 27 to force monasteries and families in the area "to raise the Chinese national flag on every house."
"Tibetans in some villages refused to comply and clashed with officials and the police," the resident said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
When additional security forces arrived and detained a group of villagers, "over 800 Tibetans went to the Driru county center and protested at the door of the county office, demanding the release of those who had been taken away."According to sources, Chinese security forces shot and wounded scores of Tibetans as they fired into a crowd demanding the release of a villager who had led protests defying orders to fly the Chinese flag from their homes. At least 60 were severely wounded when the Chinese troops opened fire indiscriminately into the crowd, suffering gunshots to their hands and legs.
TYC demands immediate investigation into the situation in Driru and believes that PM Singh should stand on the right side of history and humanity. In the letter, TYC thanked India, the Indian government and the people of India for giving Tibetans a home.
India has been more than a good friend to Tibetans. India is host to the largest number of Tibetans in exile and home to our beloved leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We remain forever grateful to this great nation for the kindness and support it has shown to the Tibetan people, stated TYC.
TYC members also visited the UNHCR office and submitted a similar letter to the Chief of Mission. On October 22, China will undergo its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
