Over 50 Tibetans detained in Nepal for anti-China protests

Nepal police detained scores of Tibetan refugees who had gathered in the capital on Tuesday to pray for ten Tibetans who have self-immolated in protest against Chinese rule in Tibet.

Over 50 members of the exiled community who had gathered to pray for the Tibetans were detained for pro-Tibet demonstration in Lalitpur.

Police arrested them after they declined the order not to carry out any demonstration in the area, a Sub-metropolitan police office was quoted as saying by nepalnews online.

However, eye witnesses said over 70 Tibetans were detained. Media reports said police tore down banners and photos of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

The agitated Tibetans shouted anti-China slogans and called for a "free Tibet".

Ten Tibetans, including monks, former monks and a nun have self-immolated since March in Tibet in protest against Chinese rule.

Nepal is home to around 20,000 exiled Tibetans and the capital has been the scene of several anti-China protests.

Nepal supports 'one-China policy' that views Tibet as an integral part of China. It has repeatedly assured its giant northern neighbour that it will not allow its territory to be used against the communist nation.

Theses protests have been a source of embarrassment to the government, which wants strong ties with China. Beijing has repeatedly asked Nepal to better control the Tibetan refugees within its borders and stop the protests.

Despite tight security enforced by the Nepalese and Chinese government in the border areas, every year hundreds of Tibetans cross the border on their way to meet the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, where he is based since fleeing from his motherland in 1959.