Tension in Tibetan colony over festival

Mysore, Feb 25: On Feb 25, tension prevailed in Tibetan refugee colony at Bylakuppe about 80 km from here following rivalry between groups of Bhuddist Lamas an issue of festival celebrations.

Police said the tense situation prevailed in the camp housing thousands of Tibetans as the majority group banned entry of a minority group to attend a festival scheduled for the day. Police cases were filed against the leaders of the two groups as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. The dispute took a serious twist as the majority group of Lamas, which had arranged 'Mono Lama Chenamo' festival, did not issue identity cards to 350 Lamas belonging to minority group to participate in the event.

The group that organised the festival argued that the rival group should be banned attending the festival as they had tried to conduct the festival of 'Dorji Shugaden', a cult figure on January 26 and again on February nine. The 'banned' group belonged to 'Pomra house', a unit of Serame Monastry, while the majority group of Lamas belong to Seraje Monastry.

A peace meeting was held in the presence of Assistant Commissioner, Tahsildar and police officials but the two groups could not reach an understanding. Additional police force was deployed in the camp as a precautionary measure.

UNI