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US 'seriously concerned' over Tibet clash reports China says one Tibetan killed in second Sichuan clash
(about 3 hours later)
US officials have expressed serious concern about reports of clashes between Chinese security forces and Tibetans in Sichuan province. China has confirmed that a Tibetan was shot dead in Sichuan province, the second violent clash with security forces this week.
Activist groups say at least two protesters were killed on Monday in Draggo county - Luhuo in Chinese - a Tibetan-dominated part of Sichuan. Local officials said a mob attacked a police station in Seda county on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.
There are also reports of a second deadly clash on Tuesday in another part of the province. Tibetan activist groups said the security forces fired on peaceful protesters.
China has accused activists of "distorting truth" over Monday's clash. On Monday, at least two other protesters were killed in neighbouring Draggo county.
But the US State Department urged the Chinese government "to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives as a means to address Tibetan concerns". Accounts of violence in the area differ and are difficult to verify. Foreign media, including the BBC, are barred from the area.
State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland also said that the US would raise the issue with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping when he visits Washington next month. Xinhua news agency said that police used force in Seda "after efforts involving persuasion and non-lethal weapon defence failed to disperse the mob". Its report said one "rioter" was killed.
But Tibet campaign groups dispute this version of events and say two people were killed. UK-based Free Tibet says that the town is now under curfew, citing local residents.
'Dozens injured''Dozens injured'
Accounts of Monday's violence differ and they are difficult to verify as foreign media, including the BBC, are barred from the area. On Monday, it was reported that at least two people were killed in another clash in Sichuan province.
Chinese state media said a mob armed with knives ''stormed and smashed some stores along a main street and a police station'', and also destroyed four vehicles. Chinese state media said a mob armed with knives ''stormed and smashed some stores along a main street and a police station'', and also destroyed four vehicles in Draggo county.
Activists say Chinese security forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting against religious repression.Activists say Chinese security forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting against religious repression.
The London-based Free Tibet advocacy group reported two dead, while the Tibetan parliament-in-exile in India and the US-based rights group International Campaign for Tibet put the death toll at three. Xinhua news agency said one person died. Free Tibet reported two dead, while the Tibetan parliament-in-exile in India and the US-based rights group International Campaign for Tibet put the death toll at three. Xinhua news agency said one person died.
A monk from the monastery in Draggo told the Associated Press on Tuesday in a telephone interview that 33 people were being treated for injuries at the compound.A monk from the monastery in Draggo told the Associated Press on Tuesday in a telephone interview that 33 people were being treated for injuries at the compound.
There are also unconfirmed reports of a second deadly clash in Serthar county, Karze prefecture, in Sichuan province on Tuesday. The US State Department has expressed serious concern about the reports, urging the Chinese government "to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives as a means to address Tibetan concerns".
The Tibetan parliament-in-exile said in a statement that at least two people were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators there. But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Tuesday that "overseas secessionist groups" were trying to discredit the government.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Tuesday that "overseas secessionist groups" were trying to discredit the government over Monday's incident. In recent months, however, there have been several protests and incidents in ethnic Tibetan parts of Sichuan province.
But in recent months, there have been several protests and incidents in ethnic Tibetan parts of Sichuan province.
Since March 2011, 16 ethnic Tibetans have set themselves on fire in what are described as protests at perceived cultural and religious repression under Chinese rule. Several of them are known to have died.Since March 2011, 16 ethnic Tibetans have set themselves on fire in what are described as protests at perceived cultural and religious repression under Chinese rule. Several of them are known to have died.
The authorities in Beijing have moved to suppress religious activism since riots in Tibet four years ago killed 19 people.The authorities in Beijing have moved to suppress religious activism since riots in Tibet four years ago killed 19 people.
China's government has described the self-immolators as terrorists and has accused the Dalai Lama of encouraging their actions in order to put pressure on the authorities to make political concessions.China's government has described the self-immolators as terrorists and has accused the Dalai Lama of encouraging their actions in order to put pressure on the authorities to make political concessions.