May 1, 2008 report

Nepal –
April 29, 2008
Prayer recital’s total counts:
Dolma Gyepa       92,560         
Dolma Dhuepa      2,40,199
Dolma Zung         1,19,358
Mani                  22,54,168
Vajra Guru         24,32,604
Tamdin Zung      2,85,991
 
Around 560 participated in yesterday’s prayer session.

24 hours Relay Fasting in Solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet:

The 24 hours relay fasting now entered its 18th day today. A new group of 63 including more than 20 nuns participated. Some of the nuns from Kopan Nunnery reported their vehicle had been stopped by police and ordered them to return back to the nunnery. The nuns refused and took a different route and walked to the hunger strike site. Many monks and nuns were detained arbitrarily from the “korlam” at Swayambhu. It was learnt that police had orders to detain anyone in monk’s and nun’s robe – due to a special ceremony by Nepal’s Sports Council “Countdown to the Olympics”. A Polish State Television crew came to the fasting site in addition to many westerners. They interviewed various participants. Today’s breakfast was compliments of Serkong Gonpa. Breakfast, water and juice during the past few days were served by Duptok Rinpoche’s Gonpa. On other days, NTSF prepared breakfast on Kyidong Ani Gonpa area.  The first porridge and tea was served complimentary from Kyidong Ani Gonpa. NTSF appreciates their kind and generous gestures.
 
Arrests and Injured:
 
a.) Out of those arrested and detained throughout last night, Nyima Dolkar was taken to OM hospital. She was admitted in the hospital by NTSF and is still in hospital undergoing tests. However, the swelling on her head has subsided and no serious injury was reported by the doctors. Those arrested yesterday were released by early afternoon today. The released were served meals. It was reported that these released again did a peace march to Baudha. Nothing untoward happened.
 
b.) Tibetan youth today launched “China Get Well Soon Campaign” in which every demonstrator wore a black T-shirt, carrying a white rose & card wishing China to recover from his illness of human right’s violation in Tibet. Some 30 youth were able to hand over the roses through the guards at the Chinese Embassy. Police arrested peaceful, silent demonstrators. Out of 95 Tibetans, 28 were (16 lay women & 13 nuns) women. They were detained at the Police Club in Birkuti Mandap. Another 17 out of whom 4 were women were detained at Amnanagar while 6 were detained at Kamal Pokhari police station. All were served meals by concerned NTSF special task force “Mein-shzab Rukhag” and released at 7:45pm by NTSF special task force “Kahsel Rukhag”.
Dharamsala -  
1. 29th April 2008: Around two hundred people gathered at Lhabsoeri for sangsol. 
2. Relay hunger strike continued.
3. In the evening around 2000 people participated in the candle light peace procession.  
4. Photo exhibition on recent killings in Tibet continued.