Tibetan killed, rights group says

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- A Tibetan man was killed by Chinese police responding to a crowd gathered to protect an area suspect, a rights group in London said.

Free Tibet, a Tibetan rights group, claims a 20-year-old Tibetan man was shot by Chinese security forces. Police opened fire on a crowd that was protecting a person wanted for distributing leaflets calling for more Tibetan freedoms.

Self-immolations are on the rise in parts of central China. More than a dozen such acts have been reported by Tibetan activist groups since last year. Free Tibet said many are protesting Chinese security measures and the lack of religious freedom.

Tibetan sections of China's central Sichuan province have been locked down by Chinese security forces, the BBC reports. Phone and Internet service is cut and checkpoints are established throughout the region.

Rights groups said Tibetan demonstrations are peaceful, though at least four Tibetans have been killed and at least 30 others were injured by security forces.

Tibetan activists are calling for independence and the return of spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.