Tibetans and their supporters across the world are today marking the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising that led to the Dalai Lama going into exile in 1959. The revolt began amid rumours that the Chinese were planning to kidnap the Buddhist spiritual leader, nine years after they occupied Tibet. On March 28th, 1959, China dissolved the local government in Tibet, claiming it was freeing the people from effective slavery in a feudal society. In a statement today to mark the anniversary of the uprising, the Dalai Lama said life under Chinese rule was "hell on earth" and had caused "untold suffering" to his people.