Controversy over purchasing of land by Tibetans in Himachal

DHARAMSALA - The Central Tibetan Administration has denied receiving any notice so far by the Himachal Pradesh High Court on the issue of purchase of land by Tibetans in the State.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court issued notices on Tuesday to Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala, the Government of India and the State government regarding permission granted to Tibetan refugees for purchase of land in the State.

The Cabinet Secretary in Central Tibetan Administration, Migyur Dorjee, said the High Court has reportedly issued the notice but he has not received it so far and he is ready to respond to the legal notice only when he receives it.

“We haven’t received any notices from the High Court so far. So, therefore it is too early for us to comment on that. As and when we receive the notices then I think we will look into that,” Dorjee said on Wednesday.

The Court has passed the notices on a petition challenging the actions of the State authorities to allow Tibetans to purchase land in the State, which is reportedly in violation of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act that bars ‘outsiders ‘ from purchasing land in the State.

A Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsondu said that the notices were not causing worry, as he and his countrymen were only refugees in India and their main aim was to return back to their motherland, Tibet.

“There are number of Tibetans living in India and for us the on going Tibetan freedom struggle is the most important focus of our life. We are here as refugees and we are only temporarily staying in India and we hope and we are working towards our final return to Tibet,” said Tsondu.

The 32 pages of petition also sought removal of the national flag of Tibetan Government-in-Exile from Indian soil, stating that it is repugnant to the Indian Constitution.

The High Court has given two months notice to the State Government to answer the petition. By Akhilesh Bharati (ANI)