Dalhousie — Tibetans in Dalhousie town on Tuesday observed a 'black day' at the local Gandhi Chowk seeking the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the eleventh Panchen Lama the second-most powerful figure in Tibetan Buddhism, from the Chinese captivity, who has been missing since he was six.

This event was organized by Tibetan people's Movement for Middle Way, Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women's Association.

On 14 May 1995, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was named the 11th Panchen Lama by the 14th Dalai Lama. After his selection, he was kidnapped by authorities of the People's Republic of China and has not been seen in public since 17 May 1995.

Tuesday this child completed his 21st year in captivity. His Capture also assumes a political intervention by the Chinese establishment to have a say in the re-incarnation of the next Dalai Lama. the Chinese have also appointed their own Panchen Lama who is also refereed to as Panchen Dzuma(Fake Panchen).

Members of the Tibetan community also organised a 12-hour hunger strike to impress upon the Chinese authorities to start dialogue for the freedom of Tibet and for the earliest release of Panchen Lama.

The Indo-Tibetian Friendship, President Dr. Dhillon and Tibetan settlement officer and Tibetan local assembly will be the main chief guests during this event.

Their demands were:-

To release The 11th Panchen Lama and other political prisoners immediately. Start Dialogue with envoy The His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Stop genocide of Tibetan religion and culture and destruction of Environment.

Dr (Capt) GS Dhillon, president of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society, Dalhousie, in his keynote address on this occasion said the present Tibetan community of Dalhousie had given it a very unique dimension through their very peaceful and tranquil disposition and supported their cause for the release of religiously designated 11th Panchen Lama.