Tibetan demonstrator attempts self-immolation

Mumbai, Nov 23 (UNI) A Tibetan demonstrator today attempted self- immolation outside Taj Mahal hotel here to protest the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongquing, police said.

He was immediately overpowered by the police before he could torch himself and was rushed to a nearby government hospital, they said.

He along with three other Tibetan youths, carrying Tibetan flags and shouting slogans against the Chinese President, rushed towards the hotel where the couple was staying. All four have been taken into custody, police said.

The Chinese President and his wife arrived here yesterday.

They are here to attend a meeting organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Meanwhile, approximately 300 Tibetan activists, chanting anti-China slogans, were staging a demonstration at Azad Maidan.

The spritual leader of Tibetans, Dalai Lama has repeatedly made allegations of religious persecution in Tibet, which is now a part of Chinese territory.

The Chinese ministry has rebutted these allegations saying that Tibet was an internal affair of China.

Chinese ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu had earlier told mediapersons that India has given an assurance to China that they will not allow Tibetans living in the country to engage in any kind of anti-China activities.

UNI ST/XR WD SK DS1250