Tibetans in India to protest over Hu's visit
Source: Reuters
NEW DELHI, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Thousands of exiled Tibetans living in India plan demonstrations and a hunger strike to protest over next week's visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao, Tibetan representatives said on Friday. Hu is expected in India on Nov. 20 for a three-day visit aimed at boosting trade ties and cooperation between the world's two most populous nations and their rapidly growing economies. Members of the Tibet Youth Congress (TYC) -- a group of thousands of young Tibetans who advocate independence -- said they wanted to highlight "Beijing's repressive policies" in the region. "We want to raise awareness of the atrocities in Tibet, and appeal to India to support our cause and not to sacrifice the issue of Tibet in any deals made with China during Hu Jintao's visit," said the TYC's Dhondup Dorjee. He said 4,000 Tibetans and supporters would take part. Chinese troops marched into Tibet in 1950 and over the ensuing decades Beijing sought to impose its own stamp on traditional Tibetan society, closing monasteries and restricting religious life. While India recognises Tibet as being part of China, it has provided asylum to tens of thousands of Tibetans. The north Indian town of Dharamsala houses the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile headed by the Dalai Lama. Dorjee said that his group had no official permission to hold the protests, which are often deterred when high-ranking Chinese officials are in India. Earlier this month, Indian authorities sought to curb the movements of a prominent Tibetan activist, fearing demonstrations could taint Hu's first visit to the country. Police told writer Tenzin Tsundue that he was forbidden to leave Dharamsala until Nov. 25, after the Chinese president's departure.
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