China to ‘deal sternly’ with acts of ‘splitting the nation’

Chinese authorities claimed the situation in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa was calm a day after violent clashes between Buddhist monks and troops reportedly left at least two people dead.

Vowing to ‘deal sternly’ with those engaged in ‘activities of splitting the nation’, Chinese authorities claimed the situation in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa was calm a day after violent clashes between Buddhist monks and troops reportedly left at least two people dead.

“The outbreak of violence died down”, official Xinhua news agency said after monks protesting the Communist rule in China held one of the largest demonstrations in two decades, and went on the rampage, setting ablaze shops and vehicles.

There were reportedly many casualties, it said.

The Tibet Autonomous Regional Government Chairman Qiangba Puncog said no gunshots were fired during the protests on Friday.

“We fired no gunshots”, he said on the sidelines of the ongoing session of the National Peoples Congress, Chinas parliament.

Describing the unrest a ‘sabotage activity’ organized and premeditated by the Dalai clique, he said, “We will deal sternly with those who engage themselves in activities of splitting the nation in accordance with the law”.

Puncog also said Lhasa was not under the martial law.

No casualties have been reported among the foreigners, local government said.

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Giving more details of yesterdays violence, Xinhua said a number of shops, banks and hotels were burnt, causing blackouts and interruption of communications in some areas. A mosque was also set on fire, it said.

“People were also seen burnt by the attackers”, Xinhua said quoting its reporters in Lhasa but added the death toll was not yet available.