Chinese soldiers dressed as monks behind riots in Tibet: Dalai Lama

New Delhi, Mar.29 : Joining religious leaders of several faiths at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, to pray for those killed in the unrest in Tibet since March 10, the Dalai Lama on Saturday said he believed the Chinese were disgusing their soldiers as monks to instigate and spread riots in Tibet.

"Since March 10 (when riots begin in Lhasa), I am having the same experience that I had in 1959 (the year he fled to India from Tibet). In one picture, we see a lama holding a sword, but it is not a traditional Tibetan sword. We know that a few hundred soldiers have been dressed like monks," said the Dalai Lama, who fled his homeland in 1959 and lives in India along with some 100,000 Tibetan exiles.

Massive protests engulfed large parts of Lhasa and Tibet earlier this month challenging Beijing's rule in the region. This also sparked off demonstrations by Tibetans in several countries, including India.

Asserting he was not anti-China, the Dalai Lama said the official policy of the Chinese government was undermining Tibetan culture.

"There is evidence the Chinese people in Tibet are increasing month by month," he said, adding that he wanted "meaningful autonomy" in Tibet. The whole world knows that we are not seeking independence, only China does not seem to know."

He described China as a "police state" with a "rule of terror". "It seems like a stable state, but underneath there is a lot of resentment."

The Dalai Lama said that China "deserved" to host the Olympic Games,"but, at the same time, they should be reminded that if they wanted to be respected as hosts, civil rights and religious freedom should be improved."

He said India was giving Tibetans "maximum help", but acknowledged that it had 'limitations'.

Meanwhile, China has said that it will compensate victims of anti-government protests in Tibet, a state news agency said Saturday, while diplomats were taken to visit the region in an effort by China to show it has restored order.

The government wants to enforce calm quickly following the riots, which drew attention to its human rights record as it prepares for the Beijing Olympics in August this year.

ANI