China Heightens Repression in Tibet on International Human Rights DayFriday, 12 December 2008, 3:05 p.m.
Dharamshala: The Chinese government imposed heavy restrictions by posting a large number of armed personnel around the Tibetan capital of Lhasa to prevent upsurge of demonstrations by Tibetans during the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on 10 December, reliable sources said.The sources said Lhasa city on that day appeared as ‘war zone’, as armed personnel built up 6 barricades on the street in front of the Potala palace, while imposing stricter measures on people’s movement around Bharkor Square.Moreover, at an intersection near Lhasa, armed personnel frisked people coming from the western region of Chushul and Toelung.Restricting free movement of people around Bharkor Square, heavily armed Chinese militarily issued warning local residents to remain inside their homes and the security measures caused disturbances to the normal life in Lhasa. The sources reported about an additional supply of arms and ammunition to some of the Chinese forces to reinforce clampdown on the Tibetan people.Using different methods to strengthen repression, the Chinese police are provided with five different kinds of dresses, which include monk’s robes and street cleaner’s dress.219 Tibetans were killed and 1294 injured in the Chinese government’s ruthless crackdown on Tibetan protesters across Tibet since 10 March this year.Around 5,600 people are still under arrest or detention and more than 1000 are reportedly missing.Related Reports:Plans to Shut Down Schools and Hospitals, Arbitrary Arrests begin in Tibet
