Witnesses told The Times of London in Beijing that about 600 monks attempted to march out of the Sera monastery on the edge of town but were met by soldiers and paramilitary police who dispersed the marchers with gas.

Although the reportedly protesters refused to disperse promptly, the Times said the troops kept their distance due to the large crowd of onlookers.

Wednesday was the second day in which monks demonstrated for the release of 11 comrades jailed at Tibetan independence protest Monday.