Nepal ? Police detained more than 600 female Tibetan protesters, including many Buddhist nuns, on Sunday after breaking up several demonstrations against China’s recent crackdown in Tibet.

It was the largest number of protesters detained on a single day since Tibetan exiles began almost daily protests in March against Chinese policies in Tibet and the first time that only women demonstrated.

The protesters held three separate rallies in Katmandu but were quickly stopped by police. More than 600 protesters were being held in detention centers in Katmandu, said police official R.P. Dhamala.

Nepal’s police have broken up almost all anti-China protests by Tibetan exiles during the past several weeks and detained participants. Officials say they will not allow protests that could harm Nepal’s friendly relations with neighboring China.