BEIJING (XFN-ASIA) - Eighteen civilians and one police officer were killed
in the recent rioting in Tibet, China said, updating a previous official toll.
"Eighteen civilians and one police officer were confirmed dead by Friday
night in the unrest that rocked Lhasa last week," the official Xinhua news
agency said, citing the Tibet regional government.
"Previously, the official death toll for the innocent was 13," it said.
The report added that 241 police officers were injured, 23 seriously, and
382 civilians were injured, 58 seriously.
"Rioters set fire to seven schools, five hospitals and 120 residences," the
Xinhua report said. "Eighty-four vehicles were burnt down and 908 shops were
looted."
Tibet's government-in-exile has put the "confirmed" death toll from a week
of unrest across the Himalayan region and neighbouring provinces at 99.
Meanwhile, the People's Daily said in an editorial that opposition to
Chinese rule in the Himalayan region must be wiped out.
"China must resolutely crush the conspiracy of sabotage and smash 'Tibet
independence forces'," the state-run newspaper said in the editorial.
It accused the Dalai Lama of masterminding protests in Tibet in the hope of
undermining the August Beijing Olympics and gaining Tibet independence from
Beijing.
The commentary effectively rebuffed growing international calls for dialogue
with the Dalai Lama.
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