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Citizen’s Meet advocates support for Tibetan cause

By Nava Thakuria |

The people of northeast India are in favour of a peaceful democratic regime in Tibet, where the residents can take their own decisions to cherish lives. Various speakers in a public meeting at Guwahati Press Club on Tuesday also argue that a progressive government at Lhasha will be beneficial for nearly 60 million people of northeastern region also.


Organized by Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA), the meeting started with one minute silence to pay homage to over 20 martyrs who had sacrificed their lives with self-immolation for the cause of Tibet. Presided over by Rupam Baruah, the president of JFA, the meeting was addressed by many Tibetan exiles living in the region, members of rights body & Guwahati based civil society groups and media persons.


Most of the speakers believe that Tibet is a distinctive entity and the country is occupied by Chinese authority illegally since 1950. While extending moral supports for the movement for a Free Tibet, the speakers were also unanimous in appealing the Tibetan youths not to take the path of self-immolation any more.


The speakers were also critical about the recent statement of a militant outfit (United Liberation Front of Asom) arguing that the people of Assam should not involve in any kind of anti-China activities. They allege that the anti-talk faction of ULFA has been inherently supported by the Chinese regime and hence they are speaking the language of Beijing.


The meeting was attended and addressed by Tenzing Pelyoung, Tsering Dolma, Chomphel, Bishrant Basisth, Hiten Mahanta, Ajay Dutta, Jaharlal Saha, Jagadindra Raichoudhury, Mukul Kalita, Anjuwara Begum, Sumant Amshekar, Manoj Deka, Nava Thakuria, Kisore Giri etc, which resolved to send a memorandum to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh supporting the cause of Tibetan people.


In other resolutions, the meeting urged the Union government to extend the political support to the Tibetan cause and pursue the Chinese government for immediate dialogue with the Dalai Lama and release of Tibetan political prisoners.

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Senior journalist based in Guwahati.

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