By NNN-PTI
Beijing : Over 100 people have so far surrendered to police in Lhasa to avail a leniency offer following the worst pro-independence violence since 1989 which rocked the Tibetan capital last week, which China says was “instigated” by the Dalai Lama.
A total of 105 rioters have surrendered for their role in the riots in Lhasa on March 14 that saw at least 13 people dead and many injured.
The Tibetan regional government had set Monday midnight as the deadline for the rioters to turn in, promising leniency to those who fell in line and “harsh” action to those who did not.
Baema Chilain, vice-chairman of the regional government, said those who surrendered were directly involved in beating, smashing, looting and arson.
“Some have turned in the money they looted,” Baema was quoted as saying by official Xinhua news agency.
The rampaging mobs had attacked banks, government buildings, schools and shops and set fires at more than 300 places after the protests erupted into large scale violence. Thirteen persons were either hacked to death or burnt, regional government said.
Doje Cering, a 25-year old villager, who smashed a car and a van with stones, said he was drunk when he heard someone shouting, “get out, or we will burn down your house”. Then, he just blindly followed them, the report said.
“I was very disturbed by what I did. My family has persuaded me to give in to police,” he said.
“We have sufficient evidence proving that the Lhasa riot was instigated, planned and organised by the Dalai clique,” a veteran Tibetan official Ragdi said.