Pro-Tibet protests continue in Nepal, 17 held

Police in Nepal detained at least 17 Tibetans for protests

Police in Nepal detained at least 17 Tibetans today as anti-China demonstrations continued in Kathmandu, police said. Wrapping their heads and mouths with black cloth, dozens of protesters were marching towards a Chinese consulate office, when policemen stopped them.

One woman was heard yelling "stop killing... stop killing" as she was pulled into a police van. "We will continue to protest until killings are stopped in Tibet," said a protester who gave his name as Sonam. This is the latest in a series of pro-Tibet protests which began on March 10, the anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising against the Chinese rule.

Nepal is home to more than 20 000 Tibetans who have been living there since fleeing their Himalayan homeland in 1959. Although Nepal considers Tibet as part of China, and Kathmandu says it will not allow any anti-China activities on its soil, Tibetans have been protesting on a regular basis.

Hundreds of protesters have been detained in the past by the police and later freed. - Reuters