Special report: Dalai's separatist activities condemned

    LHASA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Tibet regional government said that the number of people who surrendered to police rose to more than 170 by 10 p.m., Wednesday for involvement in the Lhasa riot that killed 13 innocent civilians.

    Most of the people who gave themselves in to legal authorities claimed they just committed minor offenses. Some said they were incited by other lawbreakers and others said they were forced to get involved, according to the government.

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

    The riots erupted in the plateau city on Friday afternoon. Rioters killed 13 civilians and set fires at more than 300 locations and attacked schools, banks, hospitals, shops, government offices, utilities and state media offices.

    According to the regional department of commerce, the losses from the riots had exceeded 200 million yuan (about 28.3 million U.S. dollars) by Wednesday night.