Dalai Lama 'helpless' in growing dispute

BEIJING, March 16 (UPI) -- The Dalai Lama said Sunday he feels "helpless" in stopping the growing dispute between Tibetan protesters and Chinese officials.

The Buddhist religious leader said he feels he cannot stop the escalation of the social conflict, adding he would not order his Tibetan followers to surrender to Chinese forces, The New York Times reported.

"I do feel helpless," the Dalai Lama said. "I feel very sad, very serious, very anxious. Cannot do anything,"

Reports out of Tibet say at least 80 people were killed last Thursday and Friday as protests raged in the region.

China's official Xinhua news agency claimed protesters Saturday had come fully prepared for violence.

"The Tibet regional government said on Saturday at least 10 people were confirmed dead, including several from burns and gunshot wounds," Xinhua said.

The Tibetans said there were reports the Chinese military and police were being deployed throughout Tibet.

"Even home guards and surveillance police (have) been called in by Chinese authorities to suppress the protests inside Tibet," the report said.