Two day North Eastern Region Conference of Tibet Support Groups concluded today 14th June, 2003 successfully at Salugara, Jalpaiguri. 155 Delegates representing North Eastern Region of India including Arunanchal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri registered themselves. The conference was organised by Himalayan committee for action on Tibet and India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO).
The theme of the conference was “Save Tibet, Save Himalaya and Save Asia.”
The Chief guest of the opening ceremony was Ven. Lama Chosphel Zotpa, Vice Chairman of National Commission of SC/ ST and President of Himalayan Committee for action on Tibet. Shri Indresh Kumar, founder of Bharat Tibbat Sahyog Manch was the guest of the honor. Other speakers were members of Tibet Support Groups.
Including: Shri P.T Bhutia, Shri Dawa Pakhrin, Shri N.K Gurung, Shri K.B Jogi, Shri P. Roy, Shr. Sonam Lhundup Bhutia, Members of Tibetan NGO’s, settlement officers and welfare officers of above region also attended the meetings.
After two days of extensive deliberation, the conference passed the following resolutions.
1. That while welcoming the forth coming visit of Honorable Prime Minister to China and discussing the issue of Trade and opening of Sikkim border, the issue of Tibet must be raised as the Himalayan Culture is linked with culture and religion of Tibet.
2. That the construction of railway by China from Gormo to Lhasa and then to the border of India will directly affect India’s security and environment. The ethnic imbalance in Tibet will greatly erode the Tibetan civilization, which has been the root of Himalayan civilization. The meeting resolved to appeal to the Prime Minister to take up this issue, which concerns India’s Security.
3. And request the Honorable Prime Minster to play a more pro-active role to bring the Chinese Government to agree to the pragmatic views of His Holiness the Dalai Lama so that there is a genuine trust between the two countries and a lasting peace in the sub-continent.
4. That for preservation and protection of Himalayan Culture, Religion, Environment and Ecology more and more units of Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet and like-minded organization will be formed at various places in the North Eastern Region of India.
The delegates also submitted a signed petition to the Prime Minister of India appealing to consider above resolutions.
In short the delegates from the various border region of India sent a clear message to the Government of India that although they welcome the opening of Trade route to Tibet but until the issue of Tibet is discussed and problems resolved amicably between the Government of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it will be difficult for the people of Himalayan region to trust China.
Jamyang Dorjee
India Tibet Coordination Office, New Delhi.
