NE Tibetans take out protest torch rally

Guwahati, Apr 17 (UNI) The Tibetans living in the North East took out a 'black torch' rally here today in protest against the ongoing violence and recent crackdown by China in Tibet.

Commensurating the Beijing Olympic torch relay at New Delhi, hundreds of Tibetans took out a peaceful and silent rally with banners reading ''Free Tibet'' and Tibetan flag, organised by the Convenor of Himalaya Parivar.

Himalaya Parivar president Shialditya said the rally was ''Olympic Torch of Shame''.

The demonstration was preceded by a meeting at the Press Club here where the speakers criticised China's continuous violation of human rights in Tibet Autonomous Area (TAR).

The NE has a major population of Tibetans with an official refugee camp at Miao in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district, where about 6000 families have been residing since 1960.

UNI MT PP SP KN1527