02 March,2009 03:27 PM IST | | AFP
Security forces have surrounded a Tibetan monastery in a tense region of southwest China after monks there demonstrated against Chinese repression, activist groups said.
They said yesterday's demonstration occurred in the same area of Sichuan province's Aba prefecture where a monk set himself alight last week to protest against China's 58-year rule of the Himalayan region.
Tensions are high in Tibetan-populated areas ahead of the 50th anniversary on March 10 of a failed uprising against Chinese rule that led to revered spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fleeing into exile.
Several hundred monks at the Sey monastery in Aba staged the protest after Chinese officials banned prayers during a traditional Buddhist festival, the US-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said, citing sources there.
"Several hundred monks marched from the monastery after officials banned them from praying, calling to be allowed to celebrate the Monlam prayer festival and for authorities to release all Tibetan prisoners," the group said.
u00a0It said armed police had surrounded the monastery after the monks returned there and it was now likely to be under a lockdown, although it had no more information. A woman resident reached by phone by AFP confirmed there was a protest.
