NGOs come out in support of Tibetans, Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA: Two NGOs here have come out in support of the Tibetans and their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and condemned alleged human rights violations in Tibet.

Members of Indo-Tibet Friendship Society and Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch marched through the streets of Dharamsala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile yesterday to pledge their support for the Tibetan leader and denounced China's "human rights violations" in Tibet.

"We are concerned about about what's happening in Tibet. We are here with you to show our solidarity to the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom," Ram Swaroop, former president of Indo-Tibet Friendship Society said.

"We pray that the Dalai Lama's peaceful efforts to negotiate with China bears fruits," said Prem Sagar of the Bharat Tibet Sahyog Manch (BTSM), which organised yesterday's march.

Shops and restaurants run by local Indians also remained closed yesterday.

Meanwhile, local Tibetans as part of their continued protest against Chinese "high-handedness" in Lhasa and held a candle light march here to pray for victims of the crackdown.