Chinese media blames West, Dalai Lama for 'distorting truth' behind deadly clashes in Tibet

Beijing, Jan 30 (ANI): Chinese state media has blasted Western governments and Tibetan government-in-exile for distorting the truth about recent deadly clashes in Tibetan-inhabited areas, in a bid to discredit the government.

Police stations in two counties of the autonomous prefecture were recently attacked by mobs, prompting the police to defend themselves.

According to Xinhua, one of the clashes involved a mob of over 100 people, who had gathered following rumors that three monks intended to commit suicide by self-immolation there.

They smashed two police vehicles, two fire trucks and stormed into nearby shops and a bank.The clashes caused at least one death and others, including policemen, were injured.

According to The China Daily, the Western governments and the self-proclaimed Tibetan government-in-exile spared no effort in taking the opportunity to criticize the Chinese central government.

The London-based Free Tibet advocacy group claimed that police opened fire on Tibetans peacefully protesting against religious repression in Sichuan province, killing at least one and injuring more than 30.

This was, however, refuted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which claimed that the true cause of the clash was a mob intent on storming stores and the police station.

"Overseas forces promoting 'independence for Tibet' have always fabricated rumors and distorted the truth to discredit the Chinese government with issues involving Tibet," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

The report also accused the Dalai Lama clique of hiding 'its real agenda behind religion' and of being 'financed and supported by some Western governments and media with their own agenda against China.'

It claimed that the Dalai Lama clique will never win the hearts of Tibetans in this way, as it has greatly damaged the development of the Tibetan-inhabited regions, and harmed the interests of Tibetan people.

The report also claimed that the Dalai Lama is abusing his religious status in the Tibetan-inhabited regions, and that he and his supporters are kidnapping the broad interests of all the people in the Tibetan-inhabited regions to satisfy their own interests. (ANI)