'Dalai clique behind violence'

2008-03-14 20:11

Beijing - Groups allied to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama masterminded violent protests in Lhasa, China's official Xinhua news agency quoted the region's government as saying early Saturday.

"There has been enough evidence to prove that the recent sabotage in Lhasa was 'organised, premeditated and masterminded' by the Dalai clique," Xinhua said, citing the Tibet government.

"The violence, involving beating, smashing, looting and burning, has disrupted the public order, jeopardised people's lives and property," Xinhua said, citing an unnamed Tibetan official.

"The sabotage has aroused indignation of and is strongly condemned by the people of all ethnic groups in Tibet," Xinhua said, quoting the official.

The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since a failed uprising in Tibet in 1959, said on Friday he was deeply concerned over China's apparent crackdown in Tibet and urged Beijing to "stop using force" there.

More than 100 Buddhist monks kicked off the protests early Friday, which quickly attracted hundreds of other Tibetans and saw one of the biggest markets in Lhasa as well as cars set ablaze, foreign tourists and rights groups said.

- AFP