China accuses Dalai Lama over Tibet violence outbreak
The Dalai Lama was forced into exile after failing in an uprising against China's rule
Also In The News
|
Today's Budget from Alistair Darling is being tipped as one of the most stretched in years. |  |
Friday, 14, Mar 2008 09:24
At least two pro-independence protestors have been shot dead in Tibet's capital Lhasa, according to reports.
Radio Free Asia quotes a Lhasa resident as saying two bodies had been seen after rare street protests escalated in recent days.
Monks are believed to be among the rioters who have thrown stones and set fire to buildings, cars and other property in the capital.
"The police are everywhere. There are big problems," the Reuters news agency quotes one local witness as saying.
The Xinhua news agency added: "Shops were set on fire in violence in downtown Lhasa on Friday afternoon."
A local resident said: "It's very chaotic. I haven’t heard any shots fired, but all the police have come out."
Another claimed: "The monks and nuns have been matching and protesting."
China's treatment of Tibet has become a focus of international criticism ahead of this year's Beijing Olympic Games, with marches taking place worldwide this week to mark the anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising.
The Chinese government blamed the "Dalai Lama group" for creating unrest in the region but the popular leader said the protests reflected resentment among the Tibetan people.
"I therefore appeal to the Chinese leadership to stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people," he said in a statement.
Tibet has been the subject of continual unrest since Chinese troops invaded in 1950. Nine years later, Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama tried to stage an uprising against Chinese rule but failed, forcing him to flee into exile.