Beijing ? Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama assailed China on Monday for “unimaginable and gross violations” of human rights in his homeland, as security forces broke up a rare protest by scores of maroon-clad monks near the heart of Tibet’s capital.

The angry remarks by the Dalai Lama in a speech in Dharamsala, India, marked the latest flash point between China and a chief nemesis in the run-up to this summer’s Olympic Games.

“Repression continues to increase, with numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human rights, denial of religious freedom and politicization of religious issues,” he said. “For nearly six decades, Tibetans have had to live in a state of constant fear under Chinese repression.”

The 72-year-old Nobel Peace laureate said Tibetans had witnessed “increased repression and brutality” recently due to China’s “lack of respect for the Tibetan people.”

The unusually sharp remarks coincided with a rare open protest march by monks in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, and came after several days of scathing attacks by Chinese officials, who charge that the Dalai Lama seeks to disrupt the Aug. 8-24 Beijing Summer Games.