Invitation to Dalai Lama still stands: Khandu

Itanagar, Apr 15 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today categorically said the invitation to spiritual leader Dalai Lama to inaugurate a hospital at Tawang still stands.

He, however, apprehended that the Centre might not allow him to visit the state following the Tibet turmoil.

The Chief Minister was reacting to media reports that he had disapproved the visit of the Dalai Lama to inaugurate the hospital.

'' How could we disapprove his visit when he is our spiritual guru? We fear that the Centre would not allow him to visit at this juncture. Moreover, the hospital for inauguration is yet to be completed,'' he said.

Replying to a question on declaring Arunachal 'sensitive' in the wake of Tibet development, Mr Khandu denied any such move while pointing out that the state government had taken adequate steps to prevent anti-China demonstrations in the state.

The monks of Tawang monastery were prohibited from launching demonstration on the Tibet development since it is a sensitive issue, he said.

Referring to the Prime Minister's package, Mr Khandu informed that the detailed project report (DPR) for Greenfield airport had already been submitted to the Centre and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed with the Army so that Aircraft Landing Ground (ALG) in remote areas (to be built by Army) would be used both by civil and army authorities.

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