Free Tibet protestors block Chinese convoy in Nepal, 10 held

In a daring protest, flag-waving and slogan-chanting Tibetan exiles today tried to stop the motorcade of a high-level visiting Chinese delegation here, but the police foiled their move by arresting 10 of them.

Shouting 'Free Tibet' and slogans denouncing China, the group staged the protest near the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bouddha area, where the Chinese officials were staying.

The protestors, waving Tibetan flags, tried to block the motorcade of senior Chinese officials of Communist Party of China (CPC), including Zhang Gaoli, a member of its Central Committee, police said. The 17-member team was on its way to Bhaktapur city for sight-seeing.

Police intervened and arrested 10 activists. They have been sent to jail for ten days for disrupting peace and security, according to the police. Some other Tibetan demonstrators managed to flee while police chased them.

Police are preparing to book the arrested Tibetans under a serious offence under which they will be imprisoned up to three months, media reports said here. 

Nepal is home to over 20,000 Tibetan refugees. Tibetan exiles have been staging on-and-off demonstrations in front of the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu since August last year when Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympics.

Home ministry spokesman Ratna Raj Pandey said the government has asked the local Tibetan leaders not to obstruct the road during the visits of the Chinese delegates.

Nepalese prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has recently reiterated Nepal's 'one-China policy' and assured Beijing that Nepal will now allow its territory to be used for anti-Chinese activities.