A Buddhist monk has died of starvation in a monastery as Chinese forces have blocked food supplies to it, the Tibetan government-in-exile said here Tuesday. Monk Thokmey (only first name given), living in the Ramoche monastery in Lhasa, died due to starvation as the Chinese military have not been allowing food and water into the monastery since March 14. The monk died on March 24, said a spokesman of the Tibetan government-in-exile, which is not recognised by any nation.

'From time to time, the military has also been firing teargas inside the monastery premises,' the spokesman claimed.

'Many monasteries in Tibet are facing shortage of food, water, medicine, restrictions on movement.

'While we can confirm that such problems are widespread, it is proving extremely difficult to get details on specific incidences (such as the one at Ramoche monastery) due to the restrictions placed by the Chinese authorities,' the spokesman added.

The Tibetan government-in-exile, based in this north Indian town, said Monday that at least 140 Tibetans had been killed in the anti-China protests in Tibet since March 10, while the Chinese government says there have been 19 deaths.

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