Scores of Tibetan refugees were detained today to prevent anti-China protests in Nepal as the Buddhist community planed celebrations to mark the 75th birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
Scores of Tibetan refugees were detained in the capital today to prevent anti-China protests in Nepal as the Buddhist community planed celebrations to mark the 75th birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
Nepal police detained 150 Tibetans from different parts of the capital as they were preparing to celebrate the 75th birthday of the Dalai Lama on the outskirts of the capital.
The police detained the supporters of the Dalai Lama travelling in four buses. They were released after a few hours, eye witnesses said.
We released them after questioning, said Ramesh Kharel, the superintendent of police at Kathmandu metropolitan police circle.
However, they were released after a couple of hours following questioning by the police, he said.
Hundreds of Tibetans are expected to attend celebrations to mark the the Dalai Lama's birthday at a refugee camp on the outskirts of the capital.
Nepal is home to around 20,000 exiled Tibetans and the capital has been the scene of several anti-China protests since the unrest in Tibet in 2008.
Sandwiched between India and China, Nepal has upheld Beijing's 'One China' policy that views Tibet as an integral
part of China. It has repeatedly assured its giant northern
neighbour that it will not allow its territory to be used for anti-China activities.
It has banned all anti-China protests. The administration has also cracked down on Tibetans for the past few years under pressure from China.
More than 2,000 Tibetans annually enter the country illegally on way to meet the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, where he is based since fleeing from his motherland in 1959.
Since the failed uprising against the Chinese rule on March 10, 1959, Tibetans have launched several anti-China protests in Kathmandu demanding freedom and human rights in Tibet.
The capital saw protest following the 2008 rioting in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, in which at least 22 people died.
Theses protests were a source of embarrassment to Nepal's government, which wants strong ties with China. Beijing has repeatedly asked Nepal to better control the Tibetan refugees within its borders and stop the protests.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}