Exiled Tibetans march in protest of China

DHARAMSALA, India, March 10 (UPI) -- Tibetan exiles began a march Monday from Dharamsala, India, to Tibet to protest the Chinese occupation of their homeland.

The march followed an official ceremony by the exiled Tibetan government marking the 49th anniversary of the Dalai Lama fleeing Tibet, following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Organizers of the Return March to Tibet said they want to renew interest in the Tibetan independence movement and bring awareness to Chinese actions in the former Himalayan nation ahead of the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing in August, Phayul.com said Monday.

"We are taking the march to Tibet because of serious situation inside Tibet and to show that Tibetans are not happy under China. We will take the Olympics opportunity to tell the world that Tibet belongs to Tibetans and China should be out of Tibet," said the president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, Tsewang Rigzin.

The organizers said "100 core marchers" left from Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama, for Tibet and said they hope the government of India "will not stop them from going to Tibet."