Marching Monks enter HP, call Tibetans to join them in fast

DHARAMSHALA (September 20)- The 11 Tibetan monks of Gaden Jhangtse monastery in the Tibetan settlement of Mundgod have entered into Himachal Pradesh Tuesday. The 11 monks had set off on foot from the Indian city of Pune on September 3. 

The monks had carried out 12 days of hunger strikes and peace marches in six major states across India before resuming their walk from Chandigarh last Thursday. 

 "We were stopped by the local police at Mehatpur in HP for some time," said Lobsang Jampa, one of the 11 monks.

 The monks were however allowed to resume their march soon after they told the police that they were on a "peaceful march to express solidarity and support for the Tibetans struggling inside Tibet for a free Tibet." 

 Speaking to Phayul by phone, the monks said they are expecting to reach Dharamshala within 2 weeks and hoped that the Tibetans and supporters in Dharamsala will join them in a three - day fast that they will hold here. 

 According to the monk, three of his fellow marchers have fallen sick from fever, stomach pain and foot boils.

 Jampa also told Phayul that their march across India has inspired them to do more Tibet activities in the near future.