Assam: In continuation of emboldening the protest, dissemination of information upon the draconian vision of Communist Chinese Government especially with regard to recent face-off at Ladakh and Pangong Tso in June and August respectively, the Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India, headed by National Convener, Sh. R. K. Khrimey; National Co-Convener, Sh. Surendra Kumar; Regional Convener for Assam and Meghalaya, Sh. Soumyadeep Datta and Regional Convener for North Bengal and Sikkim, Sh. Pema Wangda Bhutia addressed the Press Conference at Guwahati Press Club on 17 November 2020.
A brief outline of the Press Conference and onward journey of Core Group Members till Tawang was presented by the Coordinator for ITCO during which he highlighted the urgency of the awakening people’s awareness and support for the Tibetan cause, India’s national security, ecological sustainability, and cultural preservation of Indo Tibet relations. Along with this, he introduced the apex body of all India Tibet Support Groups which is represented by Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India.
In his opening remarks, Sh. R. K. Khrimey reiterated the deep-rooted relations between India and Tibet and straightforwardly stated that India has never shared a border with China but with Tibet which was forcefully and brutally occupied by the People’s Liberation Army of the Chinese Government. He strongly protested the claim of China over Arunachal Pradesh being part of Southern Tibet and the recent approval of the second Railway Line being constructed from Chengdu to Nyinchi (close to Arunachal Pradesh) by the Chinese Government. He reaffirmed that Core Group for Tibetan Cause – India remains strongly committed to the safe and proud return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet in his lifetime.
Sh. Surendra Kumar, in his address, reminded the media and press about the past border between India and Tibet – safe and friendly – where no passport, visa, or documents required to visit between these two places. Whereas today, India being a developing nation, burdens the expenses the crores of rupees per day upon the security and its management. He reminded that the path of the Tibetan cause is synonymous with Ahimsa of Mahatma Gandhi that diminished the colonialism of British raj and ushered India into an air of Swaraj.
Sh. Soumyadeep Datta, hailing from Assam with its fragrance of culture and tradition, drew out the essence of Tibetan Freedom and its relation with India particularly with the North Eastern Region including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. He hinted upon the cultural destruction of Tibetan Buddhism inside Tibet that was revived and practiced from India yet how it is being still preserved in India under the spiritual leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama after his coming to exile in 1959.
Sh. Datta specifically pointed out that the lifeline for Assamese people – the Brahmaputra that originates from Tibet, passes through Arunachal Pradesh, and enters Assam remains today under huge threat with the unnatural and forced modification of its flow being diverted and dozens of hydro projects being constructed upon this. He pointed out that these implementations are being exercised with no regard to the Water Treaty or MoU upon the rivers and its course between India and China. He himself being a wildlife activist, urged the media and press to amplify this issue and the public to generate awareness upon this subject before it gets too late.
Taking this opportunity, Core Group for Tibetan Cause-India also released the book entitled “China Hands Off Tibet” that showcases the journey of All India Tibet Support Groups – irrespective of ideological differences – since 1959 towards the unanimous objective of Tibbat ki Azadi, Bharat ki Suraksha and Kailash Mansarovar ki Mukti.
Towards its conclusion, the media and press were also informed and invited at the candlelight vigil being organised at War Memorial Centre at Dighalipukhuri, Guwahati to pay tribute to those soldiers who have laid their lives for India including the 1962 war.
Guwahati, Assam, being the gateway to sister states of North East India, more than 50 representatives, both from print and electronic, regional to national news joined the Press Conference and it was hugely covered thereafter.
-Filed by ITCO, New Delhi