Tibetans continue fast at Rangpo

Gangtok, March 25: Tibetan protesters have decided to continue their indefinite hunger strike, which they began at the border town of Rangpo yesterday after being denied entry to Sikkim.

Around 50 protesters, including 30 women and 10 monks, are on fast at a makeshift camp near National Highway 31A on the Bengal side of Rangpo.

About 400 Tibetans led by the North East Zonal Tibetan Youth Congress had marched from Siliguri to Rangpo on way to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) through Nathu-la in East Sikkim to join their countrymen to protest against the alleged Chinese atrocities against them. Nathu-la is about 90km from Rangpo.

Sikkim police had stopped the protesters at Rangpo yesterday, as they did not possess Inner Line Permits required by non-Indians to enter the state. Most of them have refugee status since they have not applied for Indian citizenship.

This morning, the protesters made an attempt to enter Sikkim by staging a demonstration on NH31A. The traffic on the highway was blocked several times during the day.

Nearly 300 Tibetans, mostly traders, from Darjeeling joined the protesters at Rangpo to express their solidarity. They returned in the evening.

“It is an indefinite hunger strike till the Sikkim government allows us to enter,” said Ugen Tsawang, a spokesperson for the protesters. “Our demand is to allow us till Gangtok where we will apply for Restricted Area Permits to reach Nathu-la on way to the TAR and join our people in the fight against the Chinese,” he added.

The East district police chief, M.S. Tuli, said the Tibetans’ demand for entry could not be met. “We have stopped them on the border. I am not aware whether they are planning to meet senior officials to seek permission for entry to the state,” he told.

Nathu-la is the quickest and most convenient route to enter the TAR with smooth road on both sides of the border.

The Tibetan spokesperson said the protesters have no intention of harming the interest of the Sikkim and Indian governments. “We understand Sikkim and its special laws. We will abide by all norms and won’t resort to any protest or slogan shouting in the Himalayan state,” said Tsawang. “All we want is a passage to the TAR through Nathu-la.”