Nepalese police detain Tibetans trying to cross into China

Jul 1, 2008, 9:20 GMT

Kathmandu - Nepalese police Tuesday detained more than 40 Tibetan exiles trying to cross the border into Tibet as part of their protest against continued Chinese rule in their homeland, police said.

Police said they had detained 42 Tibetan exiles who were attempting to cross into Tibet on foot from Chaku village, about 10 kilometres from the international border.

The Tibetan, including several monks, had trekked to Chaku village, about 100 kilometres north-east of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu last week.

They said the march had not been publicised because of fears that the Nepalese police would not let it go ahead.

To avoid police, the marchers carrying free Tibet banners and Tibetan national flags started their journey from Sankhu on the outskirts of Kathmandu and used foot trails.

However, they left the trails on Monday and camped in Chaku village near the main highway prompting police action.

Police said the detained Tibetans would be brought to Kathmandu but it remained unclear if any charges would be brought against the marchers or set free as has happened in the past.

Tibetan exiles have organised anti-China protests almost daily in Kathmandu since March 10 but the attempt to cross into Tibet was their first.

In March, Nepal said it was stepping up security along the border with China to prevent Tibetans involve in violence from crossing over into Nepal.

Nepal has also come under increasing criticism for its handling of the protests in Kathmandu with human rights groups accusing the police of using excessive force and threats to deport Tibetans involved in the protests.

Despite criticism, Nepal says it will not allow anti-China protests and it recognizes Tibet as an integral part of China.