1,400 Tibet protesters arrested in Nepal ahead of Olympics

Protesters screaming anti-Chinese slogans tried to break through a police cordon before being hauled away in police vans.

The Tibetans, including hundreds of monks and nuns, shouted "Shame, Hu Jintao," referring to the Chinese president, and "Tibet belongs to Tibetans," as they were rounded up.

"We want to give the millions of people who will watch the opening (ceremony) as well as the hundreds of athletes taking part the message that there are no human rights in Tibet," Tashi Tsering, a 20-year-old Tibetan student, told AFP.

"1,272 are now in custody and another 100 we just detained are on their way there," senior police officer B.K. Upadhaya told AFP.

"This is the largest number of protesters detained in one day since the protests began in March."

Some protesters scuffled with police, who kicked and hit the Tibetans with bamboo poles as they tried to break through the cordon outside the Chinese visa and trade section.

Other protesters had painted their faces with the flag of the Tibetan government-in-exile and wore headbands calling for a "Free Tibet."

"Tibetans have been dismayed at Chinas interference in Tibet for a long time. This day is an opportunity for us to attract the world’s attention," said Nima, a 19-year-old nun who goes by one name.

On Friday evening as the opening ceremony of the Games took place, 700 Tibetan monks and nuns held a candle-lit prayer vigil at Boudhanath Stupa, a Tibetan enclave centered around a massive domed monument on the outskirts of Kathmandu.

The monks and nuns walked around the domed stupa chanting mantras for peace in Tibet.

The exiled Tibetans have been protesting virtually daily after deadly unrest erupted against Chinese rule in the Himalayan region in March.

On Thursday, around 600 Tibetans were arrested in Kathmandu, several hours after 1,500 monks, nuns and supporters who had been praying and chanting mantras refused to disperse.

"I’ve been coming here nearly every day for the past three months and I will continue," said demonstrator Tsering before being dragged into a police van on Friday.

Sandwiched between India and China, Nepal endorses Beijing’s "One China" policy that views Tibet and Taiwan as integral parts of China.

Nepalese officials have repeatedly said no anti-China activity will be allowed as they seek to preserve friendly ties with their giant northern neighbor.

The country is home to about 20,000 exiled Tibetans who began arriving in large numbers in 1959 after the Dalai Lama fled Tibet following a failed uprising against the Chinese.

Many have gone on to the northern Indian town of Dharamshala where the Dalai Lama is based.

Worldwide protests erupted after Chinas crackdown on demonstrators inside Tibet marking the March 10 anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule.