Chinese police 'fear suicide attacks'

Chinese police say “Tibet independence forces” plan to use suicide squads to launch attacks.

Public security bureau spokesman Yu Heping made the accusation today.

It is the latest in a string of accusations from China, blaming recent violence and unrest in Tibet on followers of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Tour groups were barred from Tibet and foreign journalists blocked from some areas as the region remained under virtual lockdown following the Chinese government’s crackdown on rioters last month.

An Associated Press reporter and photographer were detained at a police checkpoint in a Tibetan area of Sichuan province last night, despite the elapse of a 10-day ban on foreigners entering the area that should have ended last Thursday.

The detentions appear to violate China’s pledge to allow free reporting in areas outside Tibet through the Beijing Summer Olympic Games in August.

The government has sought to portray life as fast returning to normal in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa – the scene of the worst violence – although its landmark Buddhist monasteries of Jokhang, Drepung and Sera were closed and surrounded by troops, tour operators said.

“The Tourism Bureau has forbidden all tourist groups to come into Tibet,” said an agent with the Xinzhe Xibuyou travel agency in Lhasa, who gave only his surname, Yang.

He said the Tibet tourism bureau had called a meeting for later today to discuss restarting the travel business. Mr Yang said both foreign and domestic tour groups were expected to be allowed back by the three-day May Day holiday.