Lhasa reels under extremely tense situation at the moment. The situation intensified since this morning. There is smoke every where from burning shops and vehicles. Roads leading in and out of some of the busiest streets in Lhasa have been sealed off. Despite a huge presence of Chinese armed troops, the protesters continue to stage demonstration.

According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), around a hundred monks from the Ramoche Temple (north of Lhasa), while on their way to the streets around 10 am this morning to stage a peaceful protest, were blocked by Chinese armed police which led to minor scuffles between the two. The monks carried forward their peaceful demonstration which eventually grew bigger with bystanders joining them. Sources confirm vehicles and shops getting burned down in the commotion.

The police have cordoned off all roads leading in and out of Lhasa with armed paramilitary forces patrolling the streets. Sources confirm gunshots being fired to disperse the protesting crowd. No deaths could be confirmed at the moment. TCHRD will continue to closely monitor the situation and issue updates as the situation progresses.

At the time of release of this update, reports are coming in of a parallel demonstration by monks of Labrang Tashikhil Monastery and the area Tibetans in Sangchu County, Kanlho "Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture" ("TAP") Gansu Province.

Contact person: Tenzin Norgay (English) / Jampa Monlam (Chinese and Tibetan)
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