Bob
1st December 2007, 01:33
After the arrest of three Buddhist monks – allegedly for trying to rob a motorcycle maintenance shop in the remote town of Paingar in Tibet – monks and animal herders rampaged through the town, smashing government offices, cars and shops owned by Chinese authorities.
Chinese officials said the monks tried to rob the shop, but Tibetan sources said that the shopkeeper had lashed out at the monks.
Following the arrest of the monks, hundreds of herders gathered to demand their release. When the police began to film the riot to collect evidence the crowds became even more enraged. One Tibet source said: “The herdsmen were very agitated, they wouldn’t let the police film them.”
To restore order 800 paramilitary police were sent in, the area was sealed off and telephone links were cut. Seven people were arrested, including two of the monks accused of robbery and five others charged with fanning the riot a day later.
Chinese officials said the monks tried to rob the shop, but Tibetan sources said that the shopkeeper had lashed out at the monks.
Following the arrest of the monks, hundreds of herders gathered to demand their release. When the police began to film the riot to collect evidence the crowds became even more enraged. One Tibet source said: “The herdsmen were very agitated, they wouldn’t let the police film them.”
To restore order 800 paramilitary police were sent in, the area was sealed off and telephone links were cut. Seven people were arrested, including two of the monks accused of robbery and five others charged with fanning the riot a day later.