Kathmandu - Nepalese police Tuesday detained more than 40
Tibetan exiles trying to cross the border into Tibet as part of their
protest against continued Chinese rule in their homeland, police
said.
Police said they had detained 42 Tibetan exiles who were
attempting to cross into Tibet on foot from Chaku village, about 10
kilometres from the international border.
The Tibetan, including several monks, had trekked to Chaku
village, about 100 kilometres north-east of the Nepalese capital
Kathmandu last week.
They said the march had not been publicised because of fears that
the Nepalese police would not let it go ahead.
To avoid police, the marchers carrying free Tibet banners and
Tibetan national flags started their journey from Sankhu on the
outskirts of Kathmandu and used foot trails.
However, they left the trails on Monday and camped in Chaku
village near the main highway prompting police action.
Police said the detained Tibetans would be brought to Kathmandu
but it remained unclear if any charges would be brought against the
marchers or set free as has happened in the past.
Tibetan exiles have organised anti-China protests almost daily in
Kathmandu since March 10 but the attempt to cross into Tibet was
their first.
In March, Nepal said it was stepping up security along the border
with China to prevent Tibetans involve in violence from crossing over
into Nepal.
Nepal has also come under increasing criticism for its handling of
the protests in Kathmandu with human rights groups accusing the
police of using excessive force and threats to deport Tibetans
involved in the protests.
Despite criticism, Nepal says it will not allow anti-China
protests and it recognizes Tibet as an integral part of China.
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