Order restored in Lhasa

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-17-2008 08:27

The capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, was wracked by turmoil this week. Private property was burned and civilians were injured and killed.

The regional government has mobilized soldiers and civil servants to clean up these reminders of the weekend turmoil.

The regional government says the sabotage was masterminded by a clique of the Dalai Lama. On Sunday, government sources said peace is returning to Lhasa, and those responsible for the unrest will be brought to justice.

Life is going back to normal in Lhasa.

Shops have started to open, and vehicles are back on the road.

The city is finally returning to calm after Friday's riot.

But most shops in the old town area are still closed.

Many shops were partially burnt down, while wreckages and debris are still littering the streets.

The regional government has mobilized soldiers and civil servants to clean up these reminders of the weekend turmoil.

The cleaners are sweeping garbage, shoveling away stones, removing overturned cars and burned vehicles.

An outburst of violence shook Lhasa on Friday. At least ten civilians were killed, most of them burned to death, and 12 policemen were gravely injured.

Police in Lhasa rescued nearly 600 people, including three Japanese tourists, from banks, supermarkets, schools, and hospitals that were set ablaze by rioters.

The local government says the police force was ordered to exercise great restraint. No gunshot was fired. No martial law was imposed.

Religious leaders in Tibet, including the 11th Panchen Lama, have condemned the riot as violating the very ideas of Buddhism, not to mention jeopardizing the safety of the people and the stability of the region.

The local government says the unrest was provoked by a handful of monks and outlaws, all followers of the Dalai Lama.

Editor:Zhang Ning