Nangpa La Survivors Talk to Press

Lobsang Choden, Miss Dolma Palkyi and Ven. Thupten Tsering at the Press Conference [Photo: Phayul]
Lobsang Choden, Miss Dolma Palkyi and Ven. Thupten Tsering at the Press Conference [Photo: Phayul]
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) organized a Press Conference here in Delhi at Press Club of India today to highlight the recent inhuman behaviour of Chinese Army who fired gunshots on innocent Tibetans fleeing via the Nangpala pass near Nepalese border with Tibet. Mr.Urgen Tenzin (Executive Director) and Mr.Tenzin Norgay, Personnel for UN Affairs of TCHRD briefed the Press Conference.

According to the Press Statement by TCHRD , 75 refugees were preparing to cross the glaciated Nangpa La Pass but only 41 refugees managed to reach Nepal. Kelsang Namtso, 17 year old nun was shot dead by the Chinese soldiers and the other victim was 23-year-old Kunsang Namgyal, who was later captured by the Chinese border police. Those 41 refugees made their presence at the conference and a major discussion continued thereafter.

A host of local and international media attended the press conference. Also present at the Conference were Mr. Penpa Tsering (also executive director of Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre), and Miss Youdon Aukatsang(members of the Tibetan parliament).

The Conference began with the screening of the video by the Romanian Climber which showed innocent Tibetans being shot and killed by Chinese border patrol. It was soon followed by questions from the media. Ven. Thupten Tsering, 23 years old from Kongpo region of Tibet, Miss Dolma Palkyi, 16 and Lobsang Choden, 26 from Kardze county gave their testimony to the Media persons about their escape.

41 Tibetan Refugees who managed to reach India attending the Press Conference in Delhi [Photo: Phayul]
41 Tibetan Refugees who managed to reach India attending the Press Conference in Delhi [Photo: Phayul]
Palkyi could not express her emotions when she recalls those incident about the heinous shooting by the Chinese troops. She said that, Kelsang Namtso died on the spot. She said that Kelsang was her good friend. Her absence makes her feel shattered. She also told that she wants to become a nun and pursue her Buddhist studies here in India.

When asked by a curious journalist about their reason for such life risking escape, Ven. Thupten Tsering only gave away one answer that he wants to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama and receive his blessings. He further added that by following His Holiness’s Middle Way Approach to resolve the Tibet issue with the Chinese government will soon bring a positive result and “we will go back to Tibet.”

Lobsang Choeden was rescued by some foreign mountaineers who helped him hide in their tent and gave him food to eat. The footage screened clearly revealed the fear in his face. He told the media person that his wait in the tent was the most appalling and dreadful time of his life. Even if he wishes to go back to Tibet, he cannot do that because his photographs have been splashed all over Tibet and one sight of him can cost his life.

These killing of unarmed Tibetan refugees expose yet again that the reality of China’s rule in Tibet is far different from that of the picture painted by the Chinese. TCHRD will be holding another Press Conference in the following days at Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan Government in Exile in India and home town to thousands of Tibetans taking political refuge as a result of forceful occupation of Tibet by the Communist China in 1949.

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