Beijing: The families of 18 civilians killed during the bloody unrest in Lhasa will be compensated by local authorities, state media reported.

A statement from the Tibet Autonomous Region said USD 28,200 dollars would be paid out to the families of each victim, a Xinhua news agency report said.

The statement also said money would be provided to repair homes and businesses damaged during the violence, while those who were injured will be able to claim free health care, according to Xinhua.

"The government will provide interest-free or government-subsidised loans to help businesses resume," Duan Xiangzheng, director of the regional administration for industry and commerce, was quoted as saying.

According to Beijing, 18 civilians and two police officers were killed in th violence in the Tibetan capital two weeks ago.

The report did not mention compensation or the police officers families. Official figures say 382 civilians and 241 police officers were injured.

The protests began in Lhasa March 10 to mark the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet.

The unrest erupted into widespread rioting on March 14 and spread of neighbouring Chinese provinces populated by Tibetan.

Exiled Tibetan leaders in India have put the death toll from the crackdown at between 135 and 140,with another 1,000 people injured and many detained.

Source : PTI