Govt-in-exile steps up pressure

The Tibetan Govt in exile stepped up its efforts to restrain China from using force against protesters in Tibet, reports Gaurav Bisht.

The Tibetan government in exile stepped up its efforts on Monday to restrain China from using force against protesters in Tibet.

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The Tibetan parliament and the Kashag — the council of ministers — made a joint appeal to the international community, to urge the Chinese leadership to immediately stop its “repression”. “We appeal to the Red Cross to provide immediate medical care to all those who have been injured,” added Samdhong Rinpoche, Tibetan Prime Minister in exile, at a hurriedly convened press conference.

Rinpoche again repeated there were reports that nearly 80 people have been killed in violence in Tibet, and 400 injured. “All these injured people require immediate medical attention, but they are afraid of going to hospitals fearing arrest,” he said.

Fearing there could more be more killings in Tibet once the Monday deadline set by the Chinese authorities for the agitators to surrender passed, Rinpoche called for immediate action. “The Chinese government’s ultimatum will expire at midnight. There is every possibility of a huge massacre of Tibetans thereafter,” he warned.

A group of nine Tibetan parliamentarians has already been sent to Delhi to lobby with political leaders. “We will hold a chain hunger strike in Delhi from March 19. Some Indian MPs will also join us,” said T. Karma Choephel, speaker.

The five NGOs which have organised the Tibetan People Uprising Movement demanded immediate release of the Tibetan marchers detained by the police.