Armed Forces Rescue Hundreds of People from Riot

China's Armed Forces have rescued nearly six hundred people from a riot in Lhasa, capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Local government officials say ten people have been killed in the violence. The authorities say the riot is calming down, and they will properly deal with the rioters according to law. CRI's Liao Jibo has more.

Report:

Government officials say armed police in Lhasa have rescued more than 580 people from the violence, including three Japanese tourists.

They were trapped in banks, supermarkets, schools and hospitals that were set alight by violent saboteurs.

Local officials say ten people have been killed since the riot started on Friday.

All of them were innocent civilians, including two hotel employees and two shop owners. Most of them were burnt to death.
A mob reportedly used double-barrel rifles to kill two business people. But the officials say there have been no reports on death or injuries of foreigners.

More than 160 blazes, including 40 major fires, were reported after the outbreak of violent activities.

The law enforcement authorities in Tibet have urged the rioters to stop their activities. The authorities have also offered leniency to those who turn themselves in.

Deputy procurator-general of the Chinese Supreme People's Procuratorate, Sun Qian, has accused what he called "a handful of monks" for provoking the unrest.

He said the unrest was "a political scheme premeditated by the Dalai clique to separate Tibet from China and sabotage the normal, harmonious and peaceful life of people in Tibet."

The unrest is calming down, he said, and China will properly deal with those who are engaged in the riot according to law.

Liao Jibo, CRI News.