Kathmandu, April 27 - Snubbing the announcement made by China towards dialogue with envoys of the Dalai Lama, about 140 Tibetans in Nepal again protested near the Chinese Consulate in Kathmandu this afternoon. Police stopped them at Nagpokhari near the Consulate and arrested 130 Tibetans immediately including a minor. The tussle resulted in two demonstrators receiving injuries and a Tibetan man was allegedly charged with attacking an officer and taken separately to Kamal Pokhari Police Station.The remaining demonstrators were detained at Metropolitan Police Barrack No.2 in Maharajgunj. At the time of filing this report they have not been released. The two injured were taken to Om Hospital immediately by Tibetans and were sent home after receiving medical attention. Ngawang, one of the injured told Phayul, "Many of us were kicked, punched, dragged and shoved into police vehicles. My legs got in between the van door, and two policemen started kicking them. It hurts a lot and the doctor has advised a week long bed rest. Another monk who had fainted in the commotion later said, "I will continue to protest until there is some resolution to our crisis".Phayul also received reports from the Khumbu Tibetan Community in Namche Bazaar that those from the town in the Everest region held a candlelight vigil on April 25 despite heavy security and pressure from local authorities. Mr. Sonam while talking to Phayul said, "We are not even allowed to keep Tibetan flags in our place. Nepal has beefed up security arrangements in the Everest region suspecting possible pro-Tibet activities by Tibetans and foreigners. Nepalese authorities have also announced that any protestor resisting arrest will face deadly consequences. An American climber has reportedly been arrested and deported from the region for carrying a pro-Tibet banner.

By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent