Rioters in Lhasa are once again being told to surrender. So far, 156 suspects involved in the riots have given themselves up to local police.
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The rioting that began on March 14th injured many innocent people. Many shops, schools and banks were set on fire. Local police say the rioters'' actions have severely disturbed the social order, and violated criminal law. |
The legal measure taken by the autonomous region's law enforcement departments have been effective. more than a hundred rioters have given themselves up or been arrested. some of these people are detained here.
43 year old Basang is a stonemason in Lhasa. He was involved in the riots on March 14. He told police he had heard someone outside his house shouting, pressuring all Tibetans to join the riot.
Riot suspect Basang said, "They shouted to us, and said we had to go out, or they would burn our houses."
Basang and his neighbors smashed a food store and took several bags of flour. He also joined an attack on police on March 16. He says when he saw on TV the local authorities' notice urging the rioters to surrender, he realized his behavior had broken the law. Basang turned himself in to police together with other ten people in his neighborhood.
When asked how his act would harm his family, Basang looked sad and regretful.
Riot suspect Basang said, "It was wrong, I won't do it again. I will also tell other people not to do such evil things."
Bianbaciren is a teenage student. He was identified from images taken by a security camera in a damaged store and sought by police. His family persuaded him to give himself up.
Riot suspect Bianbaciren said, "My grandma was very angry. I did that on an impulse. I am so sorry what I did harmed other people."
The rioting that began on March 14 injured many innocent people. Many shops, schools and banks were set on fire. Local police say the rioters' actions have severely disturbed the social order, and violated criminal law.
Yixiduojie, vice director of Tibetan Public Security Bureau, said, "We have circulated orders for the arrest of the suspects. We are confident they will not be able to escape the punishment of the law."
The police say they are continuing their search for more suspects.
(CCTV March 21, 2008)