U.N warns Nepal on detention of Tibetan protesters

By Gopal Sharma

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal baton-charged an anti-China demonstration and detained dozens of protesters on Tuesday amid warnings from the United Nations human rights agency that arresting Tibetan protesters without charges was illegal.

Nepal has seen almost daily anti-China protests since March 10 and hundreds have been detained since then.

On Tuesday, protesters were picked up by police and dragged into trucks or vans in front of a Chinese consulate office in the Nepali capital.

Police said 71 protesters were held and sent to different detention centers.

One protesting monk was seen falling to the ground after being beaten by police.

"This is to show our solidarity with (the people) in Tibet," said monk Lopsang Semten before he was dragged by police.

Another protester, Nima Dolma, 25, said China must "stop killing in Tibet, free all those who are arrested and hold talks with the Dalai Lama".

On Monday, authorities detained more than 400 people in separate protests, prompting the United Nations human rights agency to express deep concern and ask the government to refrain from unlawful actions.