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Tibetans clash with Nepal police, 200 held

Police lathi-charge Tibetan protesters in Kathmandu 19 August 2008. The regular protests since march have been intensified during the Beijing Olympics, which began on 8 August.AP/Nepal

Protesters, including nuns and monks, shouted “China, thief, leave our country” and “We want free Tibet” as they were picked up by police

Protests have been staged regularly since March but the Tibetans have intensified their anti-China demonstrations since the Olympic Games began in Beijing on Aug. 8.

Nearly 10,000 refugees have been detained in Nepal so far. Most are released after a day or so.

Nepal is home to more than 20,000 Tibetans. Thousands fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

Nepal considers Tibet as part of China and bans political activities by the exiles. Despite this, Tibetans regularly stage protests calling for freedom in their homeland.

Copyright © 2008 Reuters

Published in Reuters India