Click to play videoNew Delhi: Tuesday, March 10 is the first anniversary of the 2008 uprising in Tibet. The Dalai Lama is expected to make another call on the occasion for meaningful autonomy.
Exactly a year ago, a violent uprising against Beijing had prompted a massive security clampdown in the remote region.
The event had made news across the globe, a year ago as China was in the thick of preparations for the Olympic games.
But even after a year, there's little hope of a dialogue between Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama.
All foreign journalists and tourists have been banned from Lhasa during the month and security has been beefed up in the region.
Controls along the border with India have been tightened to prevent Tibetans from leaving.
There have been reports of two bomb blasts in the Chinghai province and a police vehicle was set on fire after policemen clashed with a mob of angry Tibetans.
In Dharmsala, home of the Dalai Lama, prayers and remembrance ceremonies are being held not only for what happened half a century ago but for the riots that swept Tibet last year in the run up to the Olympics.
Tibetans say 220 people had died in the clashes and thousands remain in prison.
Chinese denials carry little credibility with the displaced Tibetan nationals.
“In Tibet, although China says there is political and religious freedom, the reality is far different. This is why we feel very unhappy. China says there are no human rights violations but again, the reality is different,” said Kedroop, a person of Tibetan origins.
“His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) is very concerned about the situation and we have also run out of patience,” said another named Sonam.
The Dalai Lama addressed his people on the day. He said in his address, “We pay tribute and offer our prayers for all those who died, during the crisis last year. Having occupied Tibet, the Chinese Communist government carried out a series of repressive and violent campaigns. We, the Tibetans are looking for a meaningful autonomy that would enable Tibetans to live within the framework of the People's Republic of China.”
China has shown no inclination so far to relax its iron hold over Tibet.
The dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama seems to have led nowhere at all and even autonomy to Tibet within Chinese setup is suspect now.
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