DHARAMSHALA: Rigzin Choenyi, a former Tibetan political prisoner, residing at Mcleod Ganj in Dharamshala passed away at his home after a prolonged illness on 14 December. He was 79.

Rigzin Choenyi was born in 1936 at Gyaltse county to parents Migmar Tobgyal and Yeshe Dolma. In 1956, he joined the Tibetan voluntary freedom army to resist the onslaught of Chinese communist army into Tibet. However, he was caught by Chinese soldiers in June 1959 for his role in the resistance army. As a result, he was imprisoned and tortured for at least 21 years before being released in April 1980.

Even after his release from prison, he was constantly placed under surveillance and treated with suspicion for his involvement in many freedom related activities prior to his imprisonment. Unable to bear the restrictions imposed on his movement and freedom at his hometown, he finally fled Lhasa into exile with his wife on 17 January 1993. Traveling clandestinely via Nepal, he reached India where he was settled until his demise.

His last rites were performed at 06:00 am on 16 December 2015, attended by friends, family and well wishers.