Law enforcement authorities in China's Tibet Autonomous Region issued a notice on Saturday, urging lawbreakers in Friday's riot to stop their criminal activities and offering leniency to those who surrender themselves.

(Photo: CCTV)

The Tibetan higher people's court, the regional people's procuratorate and the regional public security bureau said in the notice the rioters had set fire to schools, hospitals, children entertainment centers, shops and civilian houses, confronted government departments and assaulted law enforcement officers.

They had also smashed and burnt vehicles, looted properties and killed innocent people, the noticed said, adding that all these had violated China's criminal law.

The unrest since March 10 in Lhasa is "a political conspiracy plotted by the Dalai clique to split Tibet from the motherland and sabotage the peaceful and harmonious life enjoyed by people of all ethnic groups in Tibet," it said.

The notice demanded the lawbreakers give themselves in by Monday midnight, and promised leniency for those who surrender.

Those who surrender and provide information on other lawbreakers will be exempt from punishment, the notice said.

Those who cover up or shelter the lawbreakers would be punished in accordance with the law, according to the notice.

Citizens who report lawbreakers or crimes to authorities will be rewarded and given due protection, it said.

Death toll from the riot has increased to 10, according to latest official figure.

More than 580 people, including three Japanese tourists, were rescued from banks, supermarkets, schools and hospitals that were set alight by violent saboteurs, sources with the Tibet Autonomous Region government said on Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2008)