Bodh Gaya Blasts: Dalai Lama's security beefed up

Dharamsala, July 8: The security of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's official palace and nearby Tsuglagkhang temple here was beefed up on Sunday, July 7, hours after nine low-intensity blasts rocked Bodh Gaya town in Bihar.

The security was tightened after a review by Department of Security of Central Tibetan administration. "Security of the Dalai Lama's private office here has been stepped up and an advisory has been issued to His Holiness' personal security officials," Ngodup Dorjee, department of security secretary(CTA) said.

"The Tibetan spiritual leader has been provided Z-plus security by the Indian government and we have only beefed up the security of his official palace and Tsuglagkhang temple (close to the palace)," he said.

A meeting of Central Tibetan Administration would be held here tomorrow to review security arrangements of Tibetan monasteries and temples located across India.

"Additional security force has been deployed at the Dalai Lama's palace and the Gyuto Tantric Monastic University, where Karmapa resides, after the Bodh Gaya blasts," Balbir Thakur, Superintendent of Police, Kangra said.

"Police surveillance has been strengthened in and around McLeodganj and police is in constant touch with the central intelligence agencies," he added.

Thakur said one of the two entry gates of Tsuglagkhang temple has been closed and extra force has been deployed there and carrying of electronic items, including camera and mobile has been prohibited in the temple complex, he said.

Both the Dalai Lama and Karmappa are regular visitors to Bodh Gaya. The Lama visited Bodh Gaya twice in the past three years for teachings and religious functions, his office said.

"His Holiness participated in the 'Kalachakra' (Wheel of Time) ceremony and prayed for world peace at Bodh Gaya from January 1 to 10, 2012, and his earlier visit to Bodh Gaya was from January 4 to 10, 2010," an official said.

PTI