Tibetan women stage rally in Odisha

Tibetan women, settled in Chandragiri area of Odisha's Gajapati district, today staged a rally here seeking the ''release'' of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the eleventh Panchen Lama, believed to be in Chinese captivity.
He has been missing since he was six years old, 22 years ago.
Under the banner of the Tibetan Women's Association, several Tibetan women staged a rally near the Khallikote cluster university here. They raised slogans against the Chinese administration and demanded release of Panchen Lama.
On 14 May 1995, Nyima was named the 11th Panchen Lama by the 14th Dalai Lama. After his selection, he was taken away by authorities of the People's Republic of China and has not been seen in public since 17 May 1995, they alleged.

On Wednesday Panchen Lama completed his 22nd year in captivity. The Chinese have also appointed their own Panchen Lama who is also referred to as Panchen Dzuma, ''Fake Panchen'', a spokesperson of the Tibetan association said.
"As on this day, he had disappeared from the public, exactly 22-year ago, we observe the day to demand his release" she said.