'Govt curtails Dalai Lama, press gagged in Tawang'

Tawang/Bomdila (Arunachal Pradesh), Nov 12: India may have declared non-interference on Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh. But the series of activities which followed the religious leader's visit indicates that the China's objection may have made an impact.

According to media reports, the religious leader was asked to convert his public address scheduled to be held in Tawang, into a religious discourse on the eve of his departure for Dirang and Bomdi La.

"Keeping the sensitivity of the area, we've advised His Holiness to amend his programme," said a senior official.

On the other hand journalists who had gone to cover Dalai Lama's visit were not only restricted from getting close to the religious leader but their request for extension of inner line permits(ILPs) has been denied, on the grounds that they were asking all sorts of question about China.

Earlier, teams of foreign journalists from BBC, Newsweek and French documentary too had to wait for clearance of their visit till Nov 5, just a day before dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Nov 6.

It was reported on Tuesday, Nov 8, that the government had cancelled Dalai Lama's visit to a monastery in Tawang and volunteers of the India-Tibet Friendship Society too were withdrawn.

However, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary denies imposing any such restrictions.

"All media reports are baseless. We have not suggested anything to the Dalai Lama. He is free to move anywhere in the state. The state government is not doing any rescheduling. His itinerary remains the same," he said.

However, all this obstructions failed to dampen the spirit of the followers as Tawang remained close for the fourth consecutive day in the wake of Dalai Lama's visit.

OneIndia News