MYSORE – Members of the regional Tibetan Youth Congress and Regional Tibetan Women’s Association from their camps in Mysore district took out a silent procession. The procession was held to commemorate the signing of the infamous 17-point agreement the Chinese had forced Tibet to sign, 52-years-ago.
The silent march which began from the Town Hall, after a brief function, passed through the Krishnarajendra Circle, Devaraj Urs Road, DC office, Irwin Road and Ashoka Road and back to Town Hall ground. Later, the leaders of both the Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association submitted a memorandum to the deputy commission addressed to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
In the letter, the leaders accused China of forcing the then Tibetan delegation to sign a seventeen-point charter besides forging the seal of the then Tibetan government. The Chinese government which forced the agreement seldom followed the charter, they complained. They pointed out how the Chinese government violated the agreement and sent the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) into Tibet.
The memorandum also alleged that the Tibetan women who are held captive by the Chinese government were being treated inhumanely. “Since 1959 since the occupation of Tibet, more than 1.2. million Tibetans have lost their lives,” they said adding that Tibetan women are being forcibly sterilised and are subject to family planning measures. “As we observe the 52nd anniversary of the 17-point agreement, we wish to make it clear to the people of world that no Tibetan could agree or accept the Chinese terms, which aims to wipe off a nation and its race,” they said.
They also urged all members of the UN to support the Tibetan cause. Tenzin Keyzom, president, Tibetan Women’s Association, Bylakuppe, Tsering Lhakup, president, Tibetan Youth Congress, Bylakuppe, Choephel Tsering, general Secretary, TYC, Dawa Dolma, president, Tibetan Women’s Association Hunsur and Tsering Dorjee, president, TYC, Kollegal led the procession.
