Kathmandu: In the wake of growing anti-China protests here following pro-independence demonstrations in Lhasa, the Nepal government has tightened security along the border with the Communist nation to prevent possible attempts by Tibetans to illegally enter the Himalayan country.

The district administration office in Mustang beefed up security in the Lomanthang border area, also a famous tourist spot in northwestern Nepal, an official said.

Tibetans used to enter Nepal illegally through Lomanthang earlier and therefore the border security was tightened, said Chief District Administrator of Mustang, Pradipraj Kandel.

During yesterday's anti-China demonstrations held near the United Nations Office building here, 87 Tibetans were briefly detained, according to police.

There have been regular demonstrations in Kathmandu since the March 10 riots in Tibetan capital Lhasa that left at least 13 people dead.

The US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Nepal government to cease "arbitrary arrests and use of excessive force" to silence the Tibetan protesters, activists and journalists.

In a statement yesterday, the HRW also asked the government here to reaffirm its commitment to freedom of association, assembly and expression.

Meanwhile, Nepalese police arrested three Chinese nationals from different parts of Kathmandu yesterday for allegedly posing as dentists.

They were arrested as they were treating people despite entering the Himalayan country on tourist visas, police said.
Source : PTI