Chandigarh, September 27 - Members of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC), Chandigarh, today took out a candle-light procession in memory of those who had laid down their lives in the struggle for freedom in Tibet. It was on this day 17 years ago that hundreds of Tibetans, monks and their supporters went out of their houses for a peaceful demonstration in the capital city of Lhasa but only a few returned. According to a press note issued by RTYC, this demonstration was taken out as a protest against the execution of two Tibetan dissidents and inhuman punishment meted out to nine other Tibetan dissidents in front of a crowd of about 1,500 persons. This exhibition of cruelty by the Chinese was an effort to silence the Tibetans who had continually approached mediapersons and tourists and expressed pro-independence sentiments. But the strategy backfired and precipitated the first demonstration on September 27, 1987. The procession took three circuits of the Bharkor(the main market) with Tibetan flags and slogans were raised for independence. Many protesters were immediately arrested and tortured.

These demonstrations triggered a series of other demonstrations, which were brutally crushed by the Chinese, resulting in death of hundreds of people and thousands being imprisoned and tortured. Such deliberate actions by the courageous Tibetan brothers and sisters in Tibet showcase the undying spirit of freedom.” the press note said.

The Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Freedom Movement, Chandigarh, saluted the people carried on the struggle for freedom often at the cost of their own lives. “The candles symbolise the undying hope, courage and steadfast commitment of the Tibetans to their struggle for freedom. We light these candles to illuminate the undying spirit of freedom that is in all of us. Freedom from oppression, injustice, tyranny and terrorism. We would also like to pray for the innocent lives that were killed in the brutal terrorist attacks in World Trade Centre, USA”, the press note said.