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414 riot suspects held in custody

April 2, 2008

Source: | 04-01-2008 08:58
Special Report:   3.14 Tibet Riots

[CCTV International (CCTV-9) is the English-language 24-hour news
channel of China Central Television, China´s largest national TV network.]

The chairman of the regional government of Tibet, Qiangba Puncog, says
local police are holding in custody more than 400 suspects in the March
14th riots. He says what helped return order to Lhasa so quickly was the
support of the local people.

Qiangba Puncog says local public security officers began their
investigations immediately after the riots.

Qiangba Puncog, chairman of Tibet Autonomous region's Gov't, said, "So
far, 414 riot suspects are in custody. Nearly 300 others have turned
themselves in. Over a hundred have been released due to good behavior
and cooperation. 53 people are still wanted."

The chairman says the local procuratorate department has authorized the
arrests of 30 riot suspects. He also explained the reason why the riots
had ended in such a short time.

Qiangba Puncog said, "After the riots took place, people from different
ethnic backgrounds offered us strong support. They also denounced with
anger the smashing and burning by the small band of rioters."

Qiangba Puncog says the central government has invested much money and
manpower to help develop the Tibet Autonomous Region since its peaceful
liberation in the 1950s.

He says the years since have been the most prosperous in the region's
history. He says it's the Tibetan people's unanimous conclusion that
unity and stability mean a happy life, whereas splitting off the region
from China can only spell disaster.

Editor:Zhang Ni
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