Published by: World Tibet Network News,Saturday, December 23, 1995

"Eastern Express, Hong Kong, December 19, 1995"

People's Armed Police (PAP) forces used rubber bullets on a crowd in Lhasa in mid-November, reports have said. The date of the shootings could not immediately be confirmed. The incident was sparked by the apparent refusal of Tibetans to move out of the way of a group of PAP soldiers, according to witness. "They shot at the group with rubber bullets," taking particular aim at the women, he said. The incident occurred close to the Johkang temple where the government's candidate for Panchen Lama, the second -highest position in Tibet's religious hierarchy, was officially selected shortly afterwards.

The account is the first confirmation of rumoured disturbances in downtown Lhasa in November. The authorities appeared to believe slow-moving crowds were a sign of defiance. There were more reports of rioting in downtown Lhasa shortly after the announcement of the Beijing's candidate for Panchen Lama.