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Lhasa Erupts as Tibetans Battle Police

Posted Mar 14, 08 4:53 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Nearly a thousand angry monks and lay Tibetans clashed with police in the capital of Lhasa today in the most dramatic anti-Chinese protests in almost 20 years, writes the Times of London and CNN. Rioters threw rocks at police who tried to block the lamas, and burned Chinese-owned shops, leaving one of the city's main markets in flames. The violence is the latest episode in an upsurge of protests against Chinese rule of Tibet ahead of this summer's Beijing Olympics.

“It’s very dangerous," said one man in Lhasa. "Tibetans are fighting the Han people in the street outside. I can’t talk because I’m afraid.” Some reports have suggested that Chinese officials have imposed a state of emergency. The protesters are demanding freedom to practice their religion and independence for Tibet.

Sources Times (UK), CNN

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Indian police detain marching Tibetan protestors at Dehra India, Thursday, March 13, 2008. Reports from Lhasa indicate an uprising against Chinese rule.   (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Tibetan exiles sing and shout slogans before a march in Takipur, India, Wednesday, March 12, 2008. Reports from Lhasa indicate an uprising against Chinese rule.   (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
The Dalai Lama arrives to attend a function to commemorate the Tibetan Uprising Day at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharmsala, India, Monday, March 10, 2008. Reports from Lhasa indicate an uprising against...   (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
A protester carried a Tibetan flag. Reports from Lhasa indicate an uprising against Chinese rule.   (Getty Images)
In this photo released by the International Campaign for Tibet, police are seen in Jokhang Square in Lhasa, Tibet, where protests broke out Monday March 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/International Campaign For Tibet)
In this photo released by the International Campaign for Tibet, police are seen in Jokhang Square in Lhasa, Tibet, where protests broke out Monday March 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/International Campaign For Tibet)
In this photo released by the International Campaign for Tibet, police are seen in Jokhang Square in Lhasa, Tibet, where protests broke out Monday March 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/International Campaign For Tibet)
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