Indian police stop exiles from historic Tibet march

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

DHARAMSHALA, India (AFP) — Police late Monday banned about 100 Tibetan exiles in India from going ahead with a historic trek to their homeland as part of pro-independence protests ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

The ban came hours after the marchers began their trek, and on the same day as their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attacked China's human rights record, accusing it of "unimaginable and gross violations" in his Himalayan homeland.

District police chief Atul Phuljile said the ban followed an advisory that he received from New Delhi to stop the march.

"We have issued a restrain order to the marchers not to leave the Kangra district and if they violate the order then all necessary actions will be taken," he told AFP.

Dharamshala, in the...