‘Free Tibet’ activists keep cops on toes

It is important too. For Lobsang’s face was splashed all over TV channels on Thursday morning when he climbed a pole opposite the Taj hotel in Chanakyapuri and unfurled a banner proclaiming, Free Tibet,  just when Chinese President Xi Jinping was passing by. His parents belonged to U-Tsang in Central Tibet, though Lobsang was born here.

At 6 am, Lobsang and five other “climbers” had a small prayer session —  for the “success of the protest” and safety of their mates. They then made for the Taj hotel. Students for Free Tibet (SFT), the organisation Lobsang works with, had realised some time ago the importance of having trained climbers for demonstrations and protests.

According to Dorjee Tseten, Asia Director, SFT, climbers help protests “last longer”. “It is very easy for police to disperse us, because we are less in number. So, we buy time using peaceful methods. Climbers mount poles and tall buildings, unfurl big banners or the Tibetan flag, which sends out our message loud and clear,” Tseten  said.

Lobsang, who had started training to become a climber a year ago, is now one of the key members of the team and imparts training to others. Camouflaged in neon vests and helmets, the team poses as electricians who have come to fix street-lights.

“The pole was hot today,” Lobsang said, pointing towards his burnt arms, fingers, shins and calves. “We were not expecting it to be so hot but the sun was very harsh today.”

Still, Lobsang managed to climb three storeys high and stayed atop the pole for about an hour, unfurling the banner with “Free Tibet” written in huge, bold letters just in time for Jinping’s arrival As police got caught in the chaos on the ground — chasing and detaining Tibetan activists — he got down hurriedly and escaped. Four other activists were detained at the Chanakyapuri police station.

“One of the reasons I never want to be arrested is because our gear is expensive. SFT is always hard of funds. So, one has to protect the gear,” he said.
After escaping, the members regrouped to plan the next protest, which was staged at 1.25 pm outside Hyderabad House, where Jinping met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fourteen more activists were detained there.

Activists said they prepared for the protests two months in advance, when the news of Jinping’s proposed visit was announced.

“We have changed seven locations in the past one week. A new house every day. Police and IB are keeping a close watch, so we can’t risk carelessness. But everywhere we go, friends – Tibetans, Indians – have opened their hearts and houses. We, too, on our part are honest about the risks involved,” Tseten, who is from Nangchen in Central Tibet, said. His family lives in Bir Tibetan Settlement near Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

He narrates an anecdote. When Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited India last year, Dorjee sought refuge from a Tibetan engineer friend. At the last moment, he learnt that police had traced him and escaped. “When our engineer friend returned home, he was arrested and was put in jail for two days,” Tseten said. So what happened this time? “‘Come over’ is all my friend said.”