After Kalon Tripa’s appeal, McLeod on way to normalcy

Wednesday, 9 May 2007, 12:12 p.m.

Kalon Tripa addressing the Tibetan people at Tsuglakhang on 5 May

Dharamshala: McLeod Gunj is cautiously crawling back to normalcy, since Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche publicly urged the Tibetans here to calm down (read article) as a brawl between Tibetans and local cab drivers had suddenly begin to turn communal.

“There has been some visible change in the popular attitude,” the Tibetan Welfare Officer told TibetNet, citing that “a few Tibetans have already resumed hiring local taxi for traveling within and around the town.”

Sonam Choephel Shosur is also a member of an official committee probing the matter–the other two members being the secretaries of Home and Security Departments, Tsering Dhondup and Ngodup Tsering respectively.

In a public appeal circulated yesterday, the committee vehemently urged the Tibetans to restore calm and normalcy, before anti-social elements could further manipulate the situation and disrupt peace and harmony.

As this report went online, the committee, along with the Kalon for Education, was expected to meet members of various Indian fraternities to discuss how best to prevent similar mishaps from happening again.

Earlier on Monday, 7 May, in a similar meeting of over 250 Tibetans at the Yongling School, the committee noted views and suggestions put forward by the participants.

Following is the full text of appeal :

“The recent incident on 2 May and subsequent call made by a section of Tibetans to boycott taxis and auto-rickshaws at McLeod Gunj, Dharamshala, is unfortunate and uncalled for.

“The Central Tibetan Administration and majority of the Tibetan populace living in Dharamshala do not approve of and support this call for an all out boycott of the taxis and autos.

“We fear, it might become a tool for some anti-social elements to endanger almost half a century’s peaceful co-existence between the two peoples.

“In view of this, the Central Tibetan Administration hereby appeals to all residents of Dharamshala to continue to seek the services of taxis and autos as before to bring about normalcy in the community.

“We also strongly condemn all acts aimed at hindering the peace and harmony of McLeod Gunj community.”