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Five more Tibetans killed as resistance continued in Kardze

AFP

Chinese soldiers in riot gear walk past locals through the main square of the city of Dartsedo (Ch: Kangding) on 20 March 2008. Dartsedo is the capital of the Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Western Sichuan.File photo/Reuters/David Gray/China

Chinese forces shot dead as many as five Tibetans on Tuesday in a second straight day of bloodshed as protests spread in ethnically Tibetan areas, US-based Radio Free Asia and an exile group said.

The broadcaster, quoting residents and Tibet’s government-in-exile, said that two dead were identified and that as many as five could have died in the latest violence in Sichuan province, with another 40 people seriously wounded.

London-based advocacy group Free Tibet also said that Chinese forces shot dead at least two Tibetans after they gathered to protest and identified one of the victims by the name Popo.

Tibetan advocates and local monks had reported deadly violence on Monday, saying that at least one person was killed. China has denied the accounts and accused “overseas secessionist groups” of trying to discredit the government.

But Radio Free Asia quoted local residents saying that Chinese authorities opened fire as they tried to suppress protests, in which leaflets were scattered with slogans such as “Long Live the Dalai Lama.”

“Tibetans are confined to their homes as the Chinese police fire on anyone who ventures outside in the streets,” it quoted an unnamed resident as saying.

Radio Free Asia said that the deadly violence took place both days in Kardze (Ch: Ganzi) prefecture, although in different areas. The broadcaster said that at least six Tibetans died in Monday’s violence.

The United States said Tuesday it was “seriously concerned” by the deadly violence and urged China to engage in a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, or his representatives to address grievances.

The US State Department and human rights groups say that China suppresses the political and and religious rights of Tibetans in an attempt to solidify its rule. Beijing argues that it has brought development to the Himalayan region.

Copyright © 2012 AFP

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