Archive for March 15th, 2008
Violence in Tibet
Violence erupted in the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, as protesting Budhist Monks and other native Tibetans clashed with Police in protests throughout the city. State controlled media has confirmed 30 deaths, but exiled Tibetan leadars, based in northern India, state that there are over 100 unconfirmed deaths.
The protests had started on Monday as non-violent marches by Budhist monks protesting against religious restrictions by Chinese authorities, in which 50 to 60 monks were arrested. In response to the arrests, monks from two different monestaries took to the streets on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Tromsikhang market. By Friday the protests had turned violent, and armored vehicles were called in to squelch the violence.
The Chinese government accuses the Dalai Lama, in exile to India, of orchestrating the protests.
The Dalai Lama, in a statement released to the media, called for both sides to stand down.
The protests couldn’t have come at worst time for China who is preparing to host this year’s summer Olympics.
