By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Expressing their solidarity with the ongoing wave of self-immolation in and out of Tibet, a group of Tibetans on Friday undertook a peace march from Shillong to Guwahati with a stop-over at Umran, Umling and Khanapara to culminate in Guwahati on December 10 which is the International Human Rights Day.
The peace march was organised by the Shillong Tibetan Youth Community and Regional Tibetan Women’s Association. Altogether thirty seven Tibetan youths and a 78 year old gentleman, Mr Kalsang undertook the 103 kilometer journey on foot.
The peace march has been organised by the Tibetan community to express solidarity with the 92 Tibetans who have self immolated since 2009 to protest atrocities by the Chinese Government and demand freedom from Chinese rule in Tibet.
Earlier during a small gathering held at Jhalupara, the Tibetans asked for an immediate end to the atrocities of China in Tibet, while also demanding that the United Nations intervene to stop the ongoing self immolations.
The editor of The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim who was also present on the occasion urged the community to continue their struggle for human rights and justice and to uphold the spirit of non-violence.
The Tibetans in Shillong are demanding that the Chinese Government start a concrete and meaningful dialogue with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), besides demanding the release of all political prisoners.
They have also demanded that the Dalai Lama be allowed to return to Tibet and also allow the Tibetans there the freedom of language, culture and religion.
The youths on their way to Guwahati were also seen distributing pamphlets to people to seek their support in the ongoing struggle.