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Shops on fire amid Tibet protests Shops on fire amid Tibet protests
(about 1 hour later)
Fires have broken out in the Tibetan city of Lhasa, Chinese state media reports say, as rare street protests in the province appear to gather pace. Fires have broken out in the Tibetan city of Lhasa amid reports of rioting, as rare street protests led by Buddhist monks appeared to gather pace.
Xinhua news agency said witnesses described shops being set on fire. One eyewitness told the BBC how large groups of people were setting fire to cars and shops and destroying anything of Chinese influence.
Rallies by monks have continued through the week, in what campaign groups say are the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years. The US embassy in Beijing said US citizens had reported hearing gunfire.
An eyewitness told the BBC how security forces and monks clashed on Wednesday, with several monks being beaten. Rallies have continued all week in what are thought to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years.
John, a US national who left Lhasa on Thursday, said that about 300 monks had tried to leave the Sera monastery to protest. The eyewitness who spoke to the BBC said there was a thick pall of smoke hanging over the city.
But security forces brandishing clubs stopped them and at least one monk was beaten to the ground, he said. The US-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said at least one police car had been set on fire on Friday.
ICT spokeswoman Kate Saunders said her group had received reports that the Tromsikhang market in Barkor Street - a busy commercial neighbourhood - was either on fire or had burnt down.
TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet always part of its territoryBut Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th centuryIn 1950, China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India Quick guide: TibetIndia detains TibetansTIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet always part of its territoryBut Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th centuryIn 1950, China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India Quick guide: TibetIndia detains Tibetans
Meanwhile, the police were reported to have sealed off three monasteries in the city. "It seems that lay people have now become involved in the protests," she said.
Witnesses said police were at Drepung and Sera monasteries on Thursday, and the US-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said a third monastery, Ganden, was also surrounded. Another eyewitness told the BBC how security forces and monks clashed on Wednesday, with several monks being beaten.
"It seems that lay people have now become involved in the protests," ICT spokeswoman Kate Saunders said. He said about 300 monks had tried to leave the Sera monastery to protest but security forces brandishing clubs stopped them and at least one monk was beaten to the ground.
She added that her group had received reports that the Tromsikhang market in Barkor Street - a busy commercial neighbourhood - was either on fire or had burnt down.
And at least one police car had been set on fire in the city on Friday, she said.
US embassy officials in Beijing told the Associated Press that US citizens had reported gunfire and rioting in Lhasa.
The protests began earlier this week, when a number of monks were reportedly arrested after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.The protests began earlier this week, when a number of monks were reportedly arrested after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.
Hundreds of monks took to the streets to demand their release - and reports say tear gas was used to disperse them.Hundreds of monks took to the streets to demand their release - and reports say tear gas was used to disperse them.
The police were reported to have sealed off the city's three main monasteries on Thursday.
Correspondents say there is growing evidence that protests against Chinese rule are intensifying, despite assurances by Beijing on Thursday that the situation was under control.Correspondents say there is growing evidence that protests against Chinese rule are intensifying, despite assurances by Beijing on Thursday that the situation was under control.
Beijing claims sovereignty over Tibet, but many Tibetans remain loyal to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959 and currently lives in exile in India. Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India under their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, said the Lhasa rallies had been peaceful and expressed concern at the reported reaction of the authorities.
"We ask the international community and governments around the world to appeal to the Chinese authorities to deal more moderately with the demonstrators," said spokesman Thubten Samphel.
Beijing claims sovereignty over Tibet, but many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959 and currently lives in exile in India.
Are you in Tibet or do you know anyone currently in Tibet? Did you witness the rallies this week? Send us your comments.Are you in Tibet or do you know anyone currently in Tibet? Did you witness the rallies this week? Send us your comments.
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