New York: Nepal's alleged crackdown on Tibetan protestors came under the scanner of a leading international human rights watchdog (HRW), which charged the government of arbitrary detentions, threats and harassment of peaceful agitators.

Asian Director of Human Rights Watch Brad Adams said the threat of detention or deportation is being used by the Nepalese government to "silence peaceful dissent."

Police have used excessive force to disperse protesters, he said.

He charged the Nepalese forces of "pre-emptively" arresting Tibetans in Kathmandu and called on the government to end their harassment.

These arbitrary arrests and intimidation tactics sadly reflect the behaviour of Chinese authorities across the border in Tibet, he said.

The Tibetans have been holding protest demonstrations here almost on daily basis to oppose the recent crackdown by China in Tibet.

Nepal's border with China in the Himalayas is a key route for Tibetans fleeing Chinese rule in the region.

Thousands of Tibetan refugees live with relatives in Nepal or in camps funded by aid groups.
Source : PTI