Tibet protest: Complete shut down in Leh

Leh, Apr 17: Life was today paralysed in the Buddhist dominated Leh in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir in protest against China's attrocities in Tibet and Olympic torch procession in Delhi.

Thousands of Buddhist and muslims took to the streets in Leh against China, sources said.

Shops and business establishments in Leh and other major towns of Ladakh region remained closed on a joint general strike call given by Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA) against China's attrocities on Tibetans.

Traffic was also off the roads and work in government offices, banks and other government and semi-government institutions was badly affected as employees stayed away in response to the strike call.

Educational institutions wore a deserted look as majority of students joined the procession against China.

About 5000 Lamas -- Buddhist heads, who had come from different parts of Leh -- were joined by about 25,000 Buddhists and Muslims in their protest against China's aggression in Tibet.

They later took out a peaceful procession from the city ''chowk'' and after marching through different streets of the town assembled at Polo ground.

Raising slogans against China, they also criticised the Centre for allowing the torch procession in Delhi.

The processionists also condemned the police action against Tibetans at Delhi and demanded that they should be allowed to protest peacefully during the torch rally, sources said.

About 10,000 Tibetan refugees are settled in Leh district since 1962.

The LBA and LGA have come openly in support of Tibetan refugees.

UNI