The situation in Lhasa, Tibet's capital, has been basically put under control after last Friday's commotion, said a veteran Tibetan official here on Wednesday.

Ragdi, former vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said the riot backed by the Dalai clique greatly jeopardized social stability in Tibet, when he addressed a meeting of the Counseling Committee on Development of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

"In Tibet, development is the priority of all work and maintaining a stable society is our responsibility. I hold stability comes first," he said, adding "So we should take into consideration the political situation and put the stability first while focusing on the economic and social development."

Ragdi suggested the true motive of the Dalai clique behind the criminal activities be disclosed, so as to maintain a stable and harmonious society in Tibet.

Businesses in Lhasa began reopening since Tuesday. Schools, factories and government institutions have also resumed operation. The main streets in the downtown areas, which were scattered with rubbish and rocks, got busy again with buses, taxies and bicycles.

Tibet regional government reported that 105 people had turned themselves in as of 11 p.m. on Tuesday night for involvement in the riot.

The riot erupted in the plateau city on last Friday afternoon. Rioters killed 13 civilians, set fires at more than 300 locations, smashed and burned 56 vehicles. They also attacked schools, banks, hospitals, shops, government offices, utilities and state media offices.

A preliminary investigation showed at least 373 business people and 32 enterprises had reported damages from the riot, with losses exceeding 99.1 million yuan (about 14 million U.S. dollars) as of Tuesday night, according to the regional department of commerce.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2008)