Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration mourns the demise of Tibetan political prisoner Thinley Phuntsok, former staff of the Department of Security who passed away on Tuesday.
Thinley Phuntsok has dedicated over 37 years of his life to the Central Tibetan Administration and has served with sincerity and determination.
Brief Bio of Thinley Phuntsok
Thinley Phuntsok was born on 7 October 1933 in Tibet. In 1941, he received his primary education from Lobsang Phuntsok, Secretary at Gyuto Monastery, and in 1944, he was enrolled in a special English school established by the Tibetan government in Lhasa. In 1946, he attained further studies from Lhundup Paljor, a teacher at Nang Rongsha school, and then officially enrolled in the school until 1952.
In 1967, along with a group of patriotic compatriots, he established a secret anti-communist group due to which in 1970, he was detained and imprisoned where he was subjected to torture and other cruel forms of abuse. Yet again in 1978, he formed a secret organisation called the Patriotic Society with Rabgang Gonpo Sonam and several other relevant members. Thinley Phuntsok served as Vice President of the group. He was again imprisoned in 1983.
On 14 September 1984, Thinley Phuntsok came to Nepal to meet his relatives. On 5 October 1984, he arrived in Dharamshala and in 1985 joined the exiled based Tibetan government where he served at the Department of Security as a junior clerk till his appointment as Under Secretary. During his long service, he has made many contributions to the political struggles of the exiled government. In 2007 he along with his family immigrated to the United States.
The Central Tibetan Administration is eternally grateful for the glorious contributions of Thinley Phuntsok and offers condolences to the surviving family members of the deceased.