Mar

28

China Says Tibet Monks Won’t Be Punished

Filed Under World News | Posted By Jennifer Sullivan |

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China will not penalize a group of Tibetan monks for disturbing a government-organised foreign media tour of Lhasa and expressing support for the Dalai Lama, a senior official said in a bid to calm fears of repercussion.

Baema Chilain, vice-chairman of the Chinese-controlled Tibet Autonomous Region, also said “separatists” intend to disrupt the Olympic torch relay, but he vowed to ensure the flame`s security, as per the official Xinhua news agency.

About 30 monks at the Jokhang Temple, one of the holiest in Tibet, thrust their way into a meeting and explained to reporters the government was lying about recent conflict. They completely discarded Chinese claims that Tibet`s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was responsible for protests.

Over two weeks of instability in Tibet and western China, with a day of violence in Lhasa, and China’s response ahead of the Beijing Olympics in August have instigated international controversy.

China wishes the Olympics will exhibit the achievements of fourth-largest economy of the world.

The Chinese government charges the Dalai Lama for the violence and asserts overall religious freedom, harmony and security.

The London-based Free Tibet Campaign held it had got unconfirmed reports from several Tibetan sources that three main monasteries in Sera, Lhasa — Ganden and Drepung — have been cut off since March 11 without any access to basic amenities.

“The monks are being starved. As per the reports, Tibetan populations have attempted to bring food to the monasteries but have been refused access,” it said.

Baema Chilain, the Tibet official, said the monks at the three monasteries along with the Jokhang temple were being “temporarily restricted to the premises as the authorities were examining allegations”.

Arrest warrants are issued for 30 people concerning the Lhasa violence, Baema Chilain said, for “endangering national security and committing severe criminal offenses”.

Subsidised loans would be offered to help businesses damaged in the Lhasa violence, by the government, Xinhua reported.

China stated 19 people were killed by Tibetan mobs, but the Tibet government-in-exile in Dharamsala, India, anticipated there had been 140 deaths in the unrest.



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