Controversy over purchasing of land by Tibetans in Himachal

Dharamsala, Nov.18 (ANI): The Central Tibetan Administration denied receiving any notice so far by the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court issued notices on Tuesday to Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala, the Government of India and the State government regarding permission granted to Tibetan refugees for purchase of land in the State.

The Cabinet Secretary in Central Tibetan Administration, Migyur Dorjee, said the High Court has issued the notice but he has not received it so far and he is ready to respond to the legal notice only when he receives it.

"The High Court has issued a notice regarding the land and other issues also. But we haven't received any notices from the high court so far. So, therefore it is too early for us to comment on that. As when we receive the notices then I think we will look into that," Dorjee said on Wednesday.

The Court passed the notices on a petition challenging the actions of the State authorities to allow Tibetans to purchase land in the state, which is the violation of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act that barred outsiders from purchasing land in the State.

A Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsondu said that the notices passed are not much to be worried about as he and his countrymen are only refugee in India and their main aim is to return back to their mother land-Tibet.

"There are number of Tibetans living in India and for us the on going Tibetan freedom struggle is the most important focus of our life. We are here as refugees and we are only temporarily staying in India and we hope and we are working towards our final return to Tibet," said Tsondu.

The 32 pages of petition also sought removal of the national flag of Tibetan Government-in-Exile from Indian soil, stating that it is repugnant to the Indian Constitution.

The High Court has given two months notice to the State Government to answer the petition. By Akhilesh Bharati (ANI)