Dalai Lama is still spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism and alleged living incarnation of Guan Yin pusa. I doubt the govt wants Tibet to erupt in flames or be accused of killing a living buddha... it's easier to just outlast the 14th and install the 15th reincarnation in accordance with ritual and religious rites like Golden Urn to restore influence.
In contrast , Hardeep Singh Nijjar could be mistake as a rando 4chan shit poster, not from nobility or religious leadership background. Indian Khashsoggi 2.0 that attracts faux outrage and virtue signalling by Westerners.