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Protesting Tibetan monks attempt suicide, go on hunger strike

Other News Materials 14 March 2008 12:56 (UTC +04:00)

(dpa) - Two monks have reportedly slashed their wrists in an attempted suicide and others have begun a hunger strike as Chinese troops surrounded and locked-down monasteries in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, US-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported on Friday.

The crackdown on hundreds of demonstrating monks started Monday when they attempted to march to Lhasa to protest Chinese rule over Tibet.

The two monks from Drepung monastery were in critical condition after cutting their wrists Thursday, according to RFA.

Monks from Sera monastery have begun a hunger strike as Chinese troops surrounded the three largest monasteries of the Tibetan capital Lhasa in a government crackdown on widespread protests. The monasteries are now off-limit to tourists.

The protests have since spread to Ganden monastery and to Reting monastery north of the city, according to RFA.

To mark the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule up to 300 monks left Drepung monastery to walk the 10 kilometres into Lhasa on Monday. Police detained between 50 and 60 monks Tuesday. They have since been released.

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