Dharamsala, April 29: A Tibetan group Tuesday appealed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not to hold the Olympic torch relay ceremony in Tibet.

"Many peaceful protesting Tibetans have been killed and arrested in Tibet due to the violent suppression by the Chinese regime. If the Olympic torch passes through Tibet, it will be a great disrespect to the Tibetan community," spokesperson of the Tibetan Solidarity Committee said here.

"We fear that protests might take place in Tibet, despite China's tight security arrangements on the torch route, which could lead to violence and bloodshed."

The statement warned: "If lives are lost due to the IOC's failure to reconsider their stance, the committee and related organisations will be solely responsible."

"So we urge the IOC to comply with the Olympic spirit and rethink the decision of taking the torch into Tibet."