The march was a part of a series of protests held in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata against the recent turmoil in Tibet.

The day was carefully chosen to coincide with the lighting of the Beijing Olympic lamp in Greece.

Students of Tibetan origin gathered at Esplanade at 1 pm with anti-china posters and pictures of Dalai Lama.

At 6 pm, they walked down the Metro Channel with candles in their hands, raising anti-China slogans.

The protesters went to Mayo Road and then returned to Esplanade.

Activists from different associations like Matangini Mahila Samiti, Mazdoor Mukhti Samiti and Chatra Chatri Sanghuti Manch also joined the march. Students from Presidency College, Loreto College, Jadavpur University and St Xavier’s College also joined them in their protest.

“Our leader (Dalai Lama) believes in non-violent methods of protest, and thus all our demonstrations will be peaceful. I want to free my motherland from the shackles of China,” said Goma, a housewife.

“The whole city should come out to protest against the human rights violation in Tibet,” said 80-year-old Debu Ghosh Chowdhury, who tried his best to keep pace with the youngsters.

The organisers admitted that it was difficult to gather people, as they are very few Tibetans in Kolkata.