Lobsang Gelek for Radio Free Asia.
Chinese authorities are ramping up security in Tibet ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing, deploying large numbers of police to regional capital Lhasa and imposing restrictions on Tibetans’ movements in other areas, sources say.
The moves follow a Dec. 23 announcement by China’s central government Information Office that visitors to China will be strictly monitored during the Olympic Games, which will run from Feb. 4 to 20 in Beijing.
Security has already been tightened in many places in Tibet, a resident of Lhasa told RFA this week.
“In just a few days, greater security and restrictions have been put in place in Tibetan areas of Lhasa and in Shigatse, Chamdo, Draggo, Ngaba, and Rebkong,” RFA’s source said, referring to areas in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in western China’s Sichuan and Qinghai provinces.
Large numbers of police and armed security personnel have now been stationed in Lhasa, and persons visiting Lhasa from outside areas are being closely questioned, the source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity for security reasons.
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