On return from India,Tibetans detained,get re-education classes

The statement posted Thursday said the exact number of those detained was unclear,but that it was believed to be several hundred. It said the detainees had recently returned from Bihar where they had attended lectures with the Dalai Lama,the Tibetans exiled spiritual leader.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular press briefing Friday that China was stepping up security measures in Tibet to prevent separatist violence or incitement in the run-up to the anniversary of the March 14,2008,riots in the regional capital,Lhasa,that left 22 people dead. Lhasa police said Friday that they were unaware of the alleged detentions.

Human Rights Watch said the Tibetans were being held in makeshift detention centres in Lhasa and other areas,including some set up at an army base,an army training centre and a shelter for vagrants,as well as in hotels.