DHARAMSALA, Dec 6; (Indian Express) - It is dismay not anger which has gripped the Tibetan community, here, following reports that the Chinese authorities were planning to officially enthrone Gyaltsen Norbu, the rival Panchen Lama, at Tashi Lhunpo monastery in Shigatse, on December 8. Authorities have issued an order to all the high incarnate Lamas, religious leaders and cadres to reach Tashi Lunpo monastery tomorrow for the enthronement ceremony on Friday. They have been warned against feigning ill health or any other excuses for not attending the ceremony. According to reports reaching here, the management of the monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, has no knowledge of the ceremony. Zhao Puchu, the head of the religious bureau of China, has already arrived in Shigatse to represent the Beijing regime at the ceremony.

Mr. Thupten Samphel, Joint Secretary to the Department of Information and International Relations, told ENS here that Tibetans would continue their peaceful but consistent agitation against the Chinese attempts to interfere in their religious affairs and expect solidarity from all nations. The Representative of Dalai Lama appealed to the US Congress in this connection. Rejecting the Chinese claim that the Panchen Lama recognized by the Dalai Lama was not legitimated because he hadn't used the "golden urn" to select him, Mr Samphel said that only two out of ten Panchen lama were selected by this method.

TIBETANS ENGULFED IN GLOOM: Meanwhile the entire township of Mcleodganj presents an atmosphere of subdued helplessness. Wall posters appearing here proclaim, "Every six-year-old child can not be Panchen Lama. Release Gendhun Chokyi Nyima". Saying that the Chinese had no right to violate the religious freedom of the Tibetans, an Australian human rights activities, Ms Tania Clarke, expressed concern about the safety of the missing Panchen Lama.