Detained Tibetan protesters start hunger strike for release

Nearly two dozens Tibetan protesters detained by Nepali authorities for involving in anti-China activities have begun hunger strikes demanding their immediate release.

Police had arrested a total 33 Tibetans, who demonstrated against China to mark the 51st anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese annexation, from various parts of Kathmandu, last week.

Ten of the arrested were released later following necessary interrogation.

Police officials said some protesters detained refused eating from Tuesday while remaining others joined them in their protests from Wednesday. They have sought immediate release from police detention.

The officials said they are closely monitoring their health condition and that they would immediately rush to hospital if health condition of the detained gets deteriorated.

The arrested had attempted to storm into Chinese Embassy’s consular section at Hattisar in Kathmandu. This was, however, thwarted due to heavy deployment of police personnel in the area.

A demonstration in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibetan Autonomous Region, on March 10, 2008, sparked a wave of protests across Tibet, prompting brutal Chinese police crackdown and enhanced security presence in many Tibetan areas.

The Tibetan community in Kathmandu demonstrated its solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet by protesting repeatedly in front of the Chinese Embassy and its consular section in the aftermath of the crackdown in Tibet. The protests had often provoked brutal responses and numerous arrests by Nepal police.

- Asian Tribune -