New Delhi, June 27 - The forty two Tibetan marchers from Nepal who left Kathmandu two days ago are now halfway from the border. The group of 25 monks, 17 nuns and 2 men who started their journey at 04:30 am June 25 reached Sankhu, a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site (Dorje Phakmo) around 20 kilometers from Boudhanath at 08:30 am where they rested briefly.

The group initiated the movement to see the condition and ground reality in Tibet after the mid-March unrest in the Himalayan nation. With Tibet still under an iron grip, censored from international media and alienated from foreign medical aid, fact remains foggy.

The marchers had initially planned to enter Tibet through Nyalam via an undisclosed route. But heavy rainfall and treacherous trails in the area make the course tricky and dangerous. Nonetheless, they are determined to enter Tibet and could contemplate using the Tatopani border (Dram) even though it is swarmed with Chinese soldiers.

The peace marchers are now 55 kilometers from Kathmandu and some 65 kilometers closer to the border. They have so far been treading through mountains and remote regions to avoid contact with Nepali police officials.

If the marchers do not face any resistance from local authorities the group is expected to enter Tibet in the next two days.

Phayul[Friday, June 27, 2008 12:52]