Tibet says 140 dead in protests

DHARMSALA, India -- The Tibetan government in exile says the death toll from the demonstrations in Tibet is about 140.

"While we have confirmed information on the death toll from the demonstrations so far, it has been extremely difficult to get the details," the Dalai Lama's exile government said in a message posted on its Web site Monday.

The group said the overall toll was "around 140," and it listed the names of 40 Tibetans killed in protests that started March 10.

Previously, the Dalai Lama's government said 99 protesters died. China has put the death toll at 22.

In China Monday, clashes between rioters and authorities in the western Sichuan province left one policeman dead and "several others" injured Monday, state media said, casting doubt on assurances by Chinese leaders that restive Tibetan areas had been brought under control.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported late Monday that "a group of perpetrators" had attacked armed policemen with knives and stones at 4:30 p.m. in Garze prefecture, according to local authorities. The officer, identified as Wang Guochuan, was killed instantly while several other policemen were wounded in what Xinhua characterized as "riots."

A human rights group founded by exiled Tibetans said one monk was killed in the clash.

It was not possible to immediately confirm either claim. Officials who answered phone calls Tuesday at police and government offices in Sichuan's Garze prefecture either denied anything had happened or said they had not heard of such reports.

"The police were forced to fire warning shots, and dispersed the lawless mobsters," Xinhua quoted the official as saying. The agency gave no details on whether any civilians were injured.