Traffic is back on main streets and flowing smoothly in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, yesterday as life in the city has returned to normal. Government institutions, businesses, schools, and major farm produce markets have resumed everyday operations.

Lhasa is under control after last Friday's deadly and destructive riots, a veteran Tibetan official said in Beijing yesterday as many perpetrators surrendered.

Ragdi, former vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said the riots backed by the Dalai clique greatly jeopardized social stability in Tibet as he addressed a meeting of the Counseling Committee on Development of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Businesses in Lhasa began reopening on Tuesday. Schools, factories and government institutions have also resumed operation. The main streets in downtown areas, which were scattered with rubbish and rocks, are busy again with vehicles.

Rioters killed 13 civilians, injured 325, set fires at more than 300 sites and smashed and burned 84 vehicles. They also attacked schools, banks, hospitals, shops, government offices, state media offices and private homes. An investigation showed at least 373 businesspeople and 32 enterprises had reported damages from the riots exceeding 200 million yuan (US$28.24 million) by last night.

"Ample facts have proved that the Dalai clique premeditated the riot, aimed to disturb the social stability at such a sensitive time," Ragdi said. "The riot was maliciously incited into bloody violence to put pressure on the Chinese government.

"The Lhasa riot has proved once again that the Dalai clique, supported by some Western forces hostile to China, has never hesitated in committing secessionist activities.

"The past two decades of peace in Tibet has been jointly created under the leadership of the Chinese central government and supported by the people across the country," he said.

"Some Western media distorted the facts and viciously described the severe crime as a peaceful demonstration, so as to slander our legitimate efforts to keeping social stability as a violent crackdown,'' he said.

The Tibet government said 170 people involved in rioting had surrendered to police by 10 o'clock last night.

The region's foreign affairs office suspended issuing travel permits to foreigners starting from Monday. Tour groups are still allowed to travel to Tibet, but the region's tourism bureau suggested they postpone travel plans due to facility damages.

Editor: Yan