Beijing: The 11th Panchan Lama, the pro-China Tibetan spiritual leader, today described as "lawless riots" the unrest in Lhasa that claimed at least 10 lives, saying that "sabotage acts" by "a tiny number of people" run counter to the Buddhist tenets of non-violence.

"The rioters acts not only harmed the interests of the nation and the people, but also violated the aim of Buddhism," said Gyaincain Norbu, who turned 18 last month. "We resolutely oppose all activities to split the country and undermine ethnic unity. We strongly condemn the crime of a tiny number of people to hurt the lives and properties of the people," the officially recognised Panchen Lama, the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, said.

The Chinese government and the Dalai Lama had chosen rival incarnations of the 10th Panchen Lama in 1995. The Dalai Lama's choice for the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, disappeared from public view in 1995 aged six and is believed to have been under a form of house arrest ever since.

The pro-Beijing Panchen, who had made a rare public appearance in Beijing recently, said he "resolutely" supports the ruling Communist Party of China and the government's efforts to ensure safety and stability of Lhasa. "I hope the incident in Lhasa could calm down, and peace and stability would return to the people and the Buddhist followers," he was quoted as saying by official Xinhua news agency. He termed as "lawless riots" and "sabotage acts" the violent protests in Lhasa.

Source : PTI