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Security heavy as torch passes through Lhasa

The Olympic torch was paraded yesterday through the streets of Tibet’s capital Lhasa — the scene of bloody riots in March that triggered demonstrations at some of the flame’s international relay stops.

Tight security accompanied the flame over its three-hour journey through the city, one day after officials announced more jail sentences related to the deadly riots.

The roughly 10km run began at Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s former summer palace from where Tibet’s traditional Buddhist leader fled into exile in 1959. It ended at a vast square at the base of the hilltop Potala Palace, the traditional seat of Tibetan rulers.

Hundreds of police and paramilitary troops lined the route.

Onlookers, who had been carefully screened beforehand, waved flags and chanted “go China.” About half of the 156 torch runners were ethnic Tibetan, Xinhua news agency said.

The Lhasa leg saw the reunion of the main torch with a separate one carried earlier to the top of Mount Everest — one of the highlights of the global relay that drew ugly confrontations at some of its international stops between Chinese supporters and groups protesting Beijing’s human rights record and policies toward Tibet and Sudan.

On Friday, Palma Trily, the vice-governor of Tibet’s Beijing-appointed administration, told foreign reporters Tibetan exile groups were seeking to sabotage the torch run. The reporters were required to travel in a closely guarded convoy and only allowed to cover the opening and closing legs, isolating them from ordinary residents.

The city, which has been under a security lockdown since the riots, all but shutdown for the relay, with streets deserted and most shops closed.

A security cordon was thrown up around Potala Square, with costumed performers taking the place of Buddhist pilgrims who visit to turn prayer wheels and prostrate themselves in front of the palace, which is now a museum.

Palma Trily said another 1,157 people had been released from detention over minor offenses related to the violent anti-government protests, in which Beijing says 22 people died.

Meanwhile, some 500 Tibetan exiles were held yesterday by Nepalese police after demonstrating outside the Chinese embassy against the torch relay’s visit to Tibet.

“We have rounded up over 500 Tibetan protesters. They have been driven to various detention centers,” police officer Ramesh Thapa said.

Protesters, mostly women and monks, waved flags of the Tibetan government-in-exile and screamed “China liar, leave Tibet,” “We want a free Tibet” and other slogans.

Riot police broke up the rally and protesters were bundled into waiting vans after a brief tussle.

Also see: INTERVIEW: An uncompromising view on freedom from the largest Tibetan group in exile

Also see: ANALYSIS: Broadcasters worried about press freedom at Games
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