Author: Suresh Khatta
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: March 13, 2008
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/story/283759.html
Despite orders issued to marchers by the police
not to leave the jurisdiction of Kangra district, the 'March to Tibet' continued
for the third day on Wednesday. About 100 core marchers who had assembled
at Dharamsala from all over India to join the march include nuns, monks, elderly
and youth born in exile. They were accompanied by nearly a dozen foreigners,
both men and women.
As soon as the march began from Takipur on
Wednesday, where the marchers had stayed for the night, the police wanted
to check their registration certificates. Tension prevailed when the marchers
refused to show their registration certificates arguing that they would show
the same once they crossed the district border at Bharwain.
Since there was no immediate law and order
problem and the march was peaceful, the police did not press with their demand
and let the marchers proceed. A few policemen accompanied the marchers on
the route.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a high-level meeting
of the district administration was held in connection with the march, which
was attended by Deputy Commissioner, SP, Additional Magistrate among others.
An additional police force has also been put on standby.
When contacted, Kangra SP Aul Fuzele said
the registration certificates were demanded only from those whom the police
suspected were not marchers. He said as long as the marchers were within the
jurisdiction of Kangra district there was no problem. "Action against
them would be taken only if they tried to cross the district limits."
'March to Tibet' began soon after the celebrations
of the 49th anniversary of the National Tibet Uprising on Monday from the
main Buddhist temple in McLeodganj. The march has been organised by five NGOs
- Students of Free Tibet; Gu Chu Sum, a body of Tibetan political prisoners;
Tibetan Women Association; Tibetan Youth Congress; and the National Democratic
Party of Tibet.