China said on Tuesday it had gathered "sufficient" evidence to prove that exiled Tibetan groups had organized and carried out a citywide riot in Lhasa earlier this month at the instigation of the Dalai Lama.

China blames the Dalai Lama for days of monk-led marches in the restive region's capital that on March 14 escalated into violent in which rampaging mobs looted Chinese shops and burned cars, and sparked other unrest throughout the country's ethnic Tibetan regions.

China says at least 19 people were killed in Lhasa. The Dalai Lama's representatives say the death toll is closer to 140.

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China's Public Security ministry said it had captured "major suspects" closely related to the "Dalai Lama clique" and gathered evidence that proved the riot had been organized by Tibetan groups operating overseas.

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