Nepal police detain Tibetan protesters near China

Friday, June 26, 2009

The Associated Press
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A Tibetan refugee begs the Nepalese police scuffling with the refugees marching towards Tibet to protest against the Chinese government at Andheri town, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Nepal-China border, in Nepal, Friday, June 26, 2009. Officials say police in Nepal detained dozens of Tibetan refugees heading toward the Chinese border to protest. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Police in Nepal detained dozens of Tibetan refugees heading toward the Chinese border Friday to protest, officials said.

The group of 36 Tibetan refugees will be transported back to the capital, Katmandu, where authorities will decide their fate, police official Ajit Dangol said.

Nepal has banned protests against China or any other «friendly nations» after thousands of Tibetan refugees living in Nepal began frequent demonstrations last year against the treatment of Tibetans in China.

The Tibetans boarded a bus in Katmandu and were heading toward the Chinese border when they were stopped at Andheri town, about 20 miles ( 30 kilometers) from the Nepal-China border.
There was a brief scuffle between the protesters and police before the Tibetans were detained, Dangol said.

No one was injured in the scuffle.
Thousands of Tibetan refugees live in Nepal, while thousands more are allowed to pass through the country on their way to Dharmsala, India, where the Dalai Lama lives in exile.