Beijing, Aug 25: China today replaced its 'hardline 'provincial Communist Party chief in Tibet, amid growing unrest among Buddhist monks, some of whom even committed self immolation to protest Beijing's strong tactics to stifle dissent.
 Zhang Qingli, who described Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama as "wolf in monk's robes" and the "scum of Buddhism," has been replaced by Chen Quanguo.
 Zhang Qingli will be moved to another position, the CPC Central Committee said in a brief statement according to official Xinhua news agency.
 While no reason was given for his sudden shifting, it came at a time when the Dalai Lama relinquished his political authority and reports of unrest among monks in Tibet and areas around where Tibetans were present in high numbers.
 Chen a long time party official in the eastern province of Henan last served as governor of Hebei province close to Beijing.
 Known for pursuing tough polices, Zhang was appointed as Tibet party Chief in 2005 and he had the distinction of serving in both Xinjiang and Tibet, the two provinces in which China grappled with political disorder.
 Zhang, belonging to majority Han community came to limelight when he successfully stemmed the Lhasa riots in 2008, in which monks in large numbers took part protesting against increasing presence of mainland Chinese Hans in the development projects in the Himalayan region.
 China blamed the Dalai Lama for instigating the riots in which several people were killed and hundreds injured.
 Two Tibetan monks committed self immolation in the recent months.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST