Peace march for Tibet from Manali-Delhi concludes

DHARAMSALA, 9 Oct: A Peace march for Tibet from Manali to Delhi initiated by three Tibetans concluded successfully today.

Tsering Dhondup, 47, Tsering Wangdue, 45, and Chungdak, 65 voluntarily initiated the 530 Km march that began on 23 Sept. demanding the Chinese government to allow His Holiness the Dalai Lama to return to Tibet, hold dialogue with the Dalai Lama or the Central Tibetan Administration through the Middle way Approach and the immediate and unconditional release of the 11th Panchen Lama and all Tibetan political prisoners.

While the eldest of the trio, Chungdak could not complete the march as he developed blisters some 130 Kms into the march, Dhondup and Wangdue were later joined by Nyima, a 25-year-old college student from Chandigarh. the trio reached Samyeling Tibetan Colony, Majnu ka Tilla in New Delhi to a warm reception by the local Tibetans yesterday.

The marchers concluded their march for Tibet by submitting a petition to the UN and the Chinese embassy in the Indian capital that included their three demands. They were accompanied by a representative each from the Tibetan associations based in Delhi, an arrangement made by Samyeling Tibetan Settlement Officer. 

During the course of the march that lasted for 16 days, they marched for 30-40 Kms per day and spread awareness on the Tibet and the Tibetan issue all along the way.

So far, nine rounds of talks were held between the envoys of the Dalai Lama and representatives of China’s United Front Work Department since 2002.

During the course of nine rounds of Sino-Tibetan talks, the Tibetan side had presented to the Chinese leadership a Memorandum and Note seeking genuine autonomy for Tibet as enshrined in the Chinese constitution and Law on Regional National Autonomy.

The ninth and the last round of talks was held in 2010. In 2012, the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama resigned from their positions citing overall deteriorating situation inside Tibet and “lack of willingness and sincerity” from the Chinese side.