Tibetans take out bike rally in Delhi

Friday, April 4, 2008 (New Delhi) NDTV Correspondant The ongoing Tibet protests do not seem to be settling down any time soon. Again stepping up their agitation against the Chinese crackdown in Lhasa, the Tibetan protestors took to the streets in Delhi. Scores of Tibetan youths on Friday drove around the capital on motorbikes as part of a rally to highlight their protest against China and demand for Tibet’s freedom. The ”Freedom Bike Rally”, organised by Tibetan Solidarity Committee, started from the historical Jantar Mantar and travelled all around the national capital, carrying Tibetan flags and shouting anti-China slogans. ”Through this rally, we are seeking support of the Indians against the atrocities which the Tibetans are facing in their own land,” said Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, a member of Tibetan Parliament in Exile. "Tibet is very much connected with India because of its culture and religion. Therefore we want India to help us against Chinese tyranny,” Phuntsok said.

Friday’s rally was part of a month-long protest by the Tibetans refugees living in New Delhi. The protesters have also decided to observe coming Monday as ”Black Day”. Meanwhile, several Tibetans refugees including women and elderly persons are staging a dharna here demanding International intervention against Chinese rule in Tibet.