Update: 19 Marchers Released

The 19 Tibetan marchers who have been detained since May 24th have been released. March coordinator Lobsang Yeshi and core marcher Tenzin Tsundue were released last night and briefly taken to a local hospital. They had staged a hunger strike since they were first arrested on May 22nd and required medical care, but were subsequently dropped at the campsite. The other 17 marchers, who were refusing food, were taken back to the campsite early this morning.

The marchers are at the same campsite in Banspatan, Uttarakhand State.

19 Tibetan Marchers still under Detention; 5 Foreigners on March ordered to Quit India

For Immediate Release
May 26, 200819 TIBETAN MARCHERS STILL UNDER DETENTION; 5 FOREIGNERS ON MARCH TO TIBET ORDERED TO LEAVE INDIA

Nainital - After the 4th day, 19 Tibetan Marchers still remain under police detention despite request from the Marchers at Banspatan in Pithoragarh District, Uttarkhand. The District authorities served immediate notification to 5 foreigners accompanying the March to Tibet to leave India within one week. They are Maryla Cross, Poland; Jim Peterson, USA; Edward Lex Pelger, USA; Paul Christians Buntz, Norway; and David Huang, USA.

The supporters who have been on the March since March 10 had an emotional farewell at Banspatan. They left the site covered in Khatas (white Tibetan scarf). “They are all Tibet supporters and supporters of this non-violent movement. It’s really disturbing for us and the Marchers to see them leave us after months of walking together,” said Ngawang Woebar, President of Gu-Chu-Sum, the Ex-Political Prisoners’ Movement of Tibet.

Another group of 15 Tibetans, mostly monks were stopped and sent back 4 kms before Sera Ghat. These Tibetans came all the way from Mundgod Tibetan Settlement in South India and were disappointed not being able to join the Marchers at Banspatan but they are still determined to do any Non Violent protest. (more…)

Day 76 Update from the March

The marchers spent the day at Banspatan where they anxiously waited for news about their arrested colleagues. From 10am to 6pm, the marchers held a religious ceremony to pray for Pema Tashi’s soul.

For Immediate Release

Tibetan People’s Uprising Movement

May 24, 08

INDIAN AUTHORITIES BLOCK RETURN MARCH TO TIBET; 19 TIBETAN MARCHERS DETAINED
MARCHERS VOW TO CONTINUE IN SOLIDARITY WITH TIBETANS IN TIBET

Nainital - Nineteen Tibetans on the March to Tibet have been arrested and taken to the Berinag police
station in Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand State, adjoining the Tibet border. The remaining marchers
have declared that they are determined to continue their march to Tibet.

“We are marching in solidarity and support for our Tibetan brothers and sisters inside Tibet who are
living under a state of siege by Chinese authorities” said Tsewang Rigzin, President of Tibetan Youth
Congress. “We must continue to remind the world that Tibetans continue to face killings, beatings,
arbitrary detentions and disappearances, an oppressive military presence, and a terrible climate of
fear under Chinese occupation”. (more…)

Day 75 Update from the March

The marchers spent the day in Banspatan. A downpour at 9am flooded many of the tents, forcing the marchers to find higher and drier locations to pitch their tents.

At 11am, the highest lama on the March led a group of 20 monks to the site of the Gangolihat bus accident, where they prayed for the souls of those who were killed on May 21.

In the evening, the marchers watched the documentary “Orange Revolution”, with translation and commentary provided by Lhakpa Tsering, a member of the organizing committee.