Two different scenarios were presented by Tibetan exiles and Chinese authorities as details about the recent violence in Qinghai were released. Certain pieces of information seem to coincide but their points of view are strongly influenced by their interests.

According to Chinese officials, a month-long investigation came to an end today and police rushed over to Dari County, in the western Chinese province of Qinghai to arrest the one suspected of leading the March 21 riot. Apparently, the suspect resisted arrest, a gun was fired and a police officer was shot and killed. Police returned fire and killed the suspect.

The dead officer was identified as Lama Cedain, a Tibetan officer working for the local public security office.

The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy announced that a Tibetan nomad was shot by security forces, without any other information about the circumstances. The Center also expressed its disapproval on the trials for the 30 Tibetans jailed on March 14, for participating in the violent protests in Lhasa. The sentence was apparently given behind closed doors and the defendants did not receive an appropriate legal defense.

The stories still await an independent confirmation.

According to the Associated Press, China stated that 22 people have died so far in the riots, while Tibet officials claim that at least 203 Tibetans were killed.

The Chinese authorities accused the Dalai Lama for attempting to ruin the summer’s Beijing Olympic Games and promoting the Tibetan issue. The exiled spiritual leader strongly denies the accusations.