Tibetans in Sikkim simmer with anger

The humble radio has become the most prominent source of information for Tibetans in Sikkim in these turbulent times. Many like Sonam Tokeyal tunes in the radio every morning at 4.30 am, following the incidents of violence in Tibet in March. The 68-year-old Tibetan cook, who came to Sikkim in 1959, is a resident of Deorali near Gangtok. He only relies on news relayed in Tibetan language and for that listens to the programmes of Radio Free Asia, Voice of America in the wee hours of morning.

Karma Thinley, vice president of Tibetan Youth Club in Sikkim claims that China is now trying to disturb the frequency of these radio programmes.

D Torji, the Tibetan welfare officer for Sikkim, says the radio programmes in Tibetan language are quite popular in the state. About 5,000 Tibetans live in Sikkim as refuges, he adds.

Woser Rapten (35), a Tibetan monk and ‘chanting master’ at the Rumtek Monastery says the fight for Tibet is the fight for Buddhism. “If Tibet survives then only Buddhism can survive in its most pristine form,” he says.

The state government officials say they are completely prepared to curb more protests in the state. Around 400 members of the North Eastern Tibetian Youth Congress had unsuccessfully tried to enter Sikkim from Rangpo on March 20.

Ugyen Tsewang, the general secretary of the North Eastern Tibet Youth Congress says it is strange that they were not allowed to hold a procession in Sikkim. “We were told that we require an interline permit to enter Sikkim.”

The SP, East Sikkim, Mandip Tully says the Tibetans were stopped because they wanted to enter Sikkim through the Nathu La Pass. “We have orders from the Central Home Ministry to curb any such protests,” he maintains.

The Tibetan Youth Club, an NGO, also wanted to take out a procession but they were stopped citing the ongoing flower show in Gangtok as the reason. Later, they were also denied entry.