China Clashes With Tibetan Monks in Wake of Dalai Award

Authorities crack down on celebrations
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 23, 2007 6:34 PM CDT
China Clashes With Tibetan Monks in Wake of Dalai Award
Tibetans watch the live telecast of their spiritual leader Dalai Lama being awarded the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal on a giant screen in Dharmsala, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. More than 2,000 Tibetans cheered among fireworks display on Oct.17, , when U.S. President George Bush presented Tibet's exiled...   (Associated Press)

Chinese security forces in Tibet have clashed with Buddhist monks celebrating the Dalai Lama's recent honor from the US, the Guardian reported. Police and soldiers in the capital Lhasa and in outlying areas cracked down on monasteries holding special services in honor of the Tibetan spiritual leader, according to Hong Kong media and Tibetan activist groups.

China tried blocking news that the US had bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor on the Dalai Lama, but word spread quickly anyway. Confrontations reportedly began with 3,000 armed police detaining 1,000 monks inside Drepung Monastery after monks painted the Dalai Lama's residence there. Unconfirmed reports say up to two monks were killed, the Guardian says. (More China stories.)

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