Indian police detained about a hundred exiled Tibetans protesting outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against China's rule in Tibet.

Some protesters shouted "Free Tibet" and "Rise up for freedom", while others tied themselves together with an iron link chain. Some Tibetan men had painted their bodies and faces in the yellow, blue and red colors of the Tibetan flag.

1959 Tibetan uprising anniversary
Exiled Tibetan protesters run towards the Chinese embassy during a protest in the Indian capital New Delhi Money Sharma/AFP
1959 Tibetan uprising anniversary
An exile with Tibetan flag facepaint poses for a photograph during a protest in the Indian capital New Delhi Chandan Khanna/AFP
1959 Tibetan uprising anniversary
Tibetan exiles shout anti-China slogans during a protest outside the Chinese embassy in the Indian capital Money Sharma/AFP

Police used mild force to disperse the crowd and detained several Tibetan students trying to reach the main gate of the embassy.

A scuffle broke out between the protesters and police, compelling Delhi Police officials to drag some of the protesters away.

"We don't have freedom. We don't have justice in Tibet. Tibet is our county. We don't have freedom to stay there. We are here to study. Today is the day which we celebrate as national uprising day," said a student who was detained by the police.

1959 Tibetan uprising anniversary
A Tibetan exile shouts slogan from a police vehicle after being detained during a protest outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi Adnan Abidi/Reuters
1959 Tibetan uprising anniversary
A Tibetan exile shouts anti-China slogans after being detained by Indian police Money Sharma/AFP
1959 Tibetan uprising anniversary
A Tibetan exile shouts from a bus outside the Chinese embassy after being detained Money Sharma/AFP

Activists said they were dedicating their action to the 130 Tibetans who have burnt themselves to death since 2009 to protest against Chinese rule in Tibet.

About 134,000 Tibetans live in exile, the vast majority in India or Nepal.

1959 Tibetan uprising anniversary
10 March 1959: Tibetans gather during an armed uprising against Chinese rule in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet AFP
1959 Tibetan uprising anniversary
11 April 1959: Tibetan monks lay down their arms in the Tibetan mountains after an unsuccessful armed uprising against Chinese rule AFP

On this day in 1959 (10 March), hundreds of thousands of Tibetans risked their lives and poured into the streets of Lhasa and protested against the presence of the People's Republic of China in Tibet.

Hundreds were killed as the Chinese government stamped out the rebellion. The failed uprising forced Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to flee into exile in India.

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