Hundreds of armed police and soldiers have been patrolling the streets of Lhasa, Tibet's capital, enforcing a strict curfew in a security clampdown following violent protests that have drawn negative publicity for China.
Lhasa was quiet but tense two days after Tibetans torched buildings and stoned Chinese residents in the fiercest challenge to Beijing's rule over the region in nearly two decades.
Hong Kong Cable TV reported that about 200 military vehicles, each carrying 40 to 60 armed soldiers, drove into Lhasa on Sunday.
Deserted streets
Footage showed streets in Lhasa were mostly deserted with only armoured and military vehicles patrolling.
Loudspeakers on the streets repeatedly broadcast slogans urging residents to "discern between enemies and friends, maintain order".
Another slogan called on them to "Have a clear stand to oppose violence, maintain stability".
Witnesses and officials confirmed that residents were being ordered to stay off the streets.
"It is fairly quiet this morning. The police are patrolling the streets. The local people have been persuaded not to go out," a man at the Lhasa city government office said.
A Lhasa resident who refused to give her name said "the police told us not to leave our homes".
The violence erupted on Friday just two weeks before China's Olympic celebrations kick off with the start of the torch relay, which will pass through Tibet.
Chinese officials confirmed that 10 people had died in the violence, but others including exiled Tibetan leaders said the death toll was as high as 80.
China's communist government is hoping Beijing's hosting of the Olympics in August will boost its popularity at home as well as its image abroad.
But the event already has attracted scrutiny of China's human rights record and its pollution problems.
International criticism of the crackdown in Tibet so far has been mild without any threats of an Olympic boycott or other sanctions.
Pent-up grievances
The unrest in Tibet began last Monday on the 49th anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule of the region.
Tibet was effectively independent for decades before communist troops entered in 1950.
The protests by Buddhist monks spiralled to include cries for Tibet's independence and turned violent when police intervened.
Pent-up grievances against Chinese rule came to the fore, as Tibetans directed their anger against Chinese and their shops, hotels and other businesses.
The details emerging from witness accounts and government statements suggested Beijing was preparing a methodical campaign - one that if carefully modulated would minimise bloodshed and avoid wrecking Beijing's grand plans for the Olympics.
Law-enforcement agencies in Lhasa issued a notice offering leniency for demonstrators who surrender before the end of Monday and threatening severe punishment for those who do not.
PHOTO CAPTION
A burning building is seen in Lhasa, Tibet, in this frame grab from China's state television CCTV March 14, 2008.
Al-Jazeera