Dharamsala alerted following Bodhgaya blasts

His Holiness the Dalai Lama residence, Dharamsala

Dharamsala is home to Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso and the 17th Karmapa, Ogeyn Trinley Dorje.  The Dalai Lama who is currently on a visit to Byalakuppe has his private residence in McLeodganj, while the Karmapa resides in Gyuto Monastery at Sidhbari near Dharamsala.

Other prominent monasteries including Kirti Monastery in Dharamsala and Palpung Sherabling Monastery at Bhattu in Baijnath have also been cautioned to be extra vigilant. Extra force has been put in place by Dharamsala police both at the Dalai Lama palace and Gyuto Monastery.

Superintendent of police (SP), Kangra, Balbir Thakur reviewed the security arrangements at both the places in the morning and necessary steps were taken to beef up the security. “Police surveillance has been increased around McLeodganj police station and a close vigil is being kept in areas around the Dalai Lama's residence and the Karmapa's residence,” said Thakur.

Thakur said that one of the two entry gates to the Tsuglakhang Buddhist Temple, also known as the Dalai Lama temple, has been closed, while extra force has been deployed at the spiritual leader's residence.

“Camera, mobile and other electronic items will not be allowed in the Tsughalkhang Temple Complex,” said Thakur, adding that visitors will be properly frisked before being allowed to enter the temple complex and their baggage will be checked. Besides, the police are also in touch with the intelligence agencies and security will be as per the Intelligence Bureau (IB) assessment.

Thakur said the security at Karmapa residence has also been increased and round-the-clock vigil is being kept on the Gyuto Monastery complex and surrounding area through close circuit television cameras.  “Extra force has been deployed at the Gyuto monestary too,” said Thakur. 

Meanwhile, the security wing of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) will be holding a meeting with all other departments concerned on Monday  to review the security in prominent monasteries. “Apart from, Himachal Pradesh Police personnel guarding the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we have put in place our own securitymen,” said Ngodup Dorje, secretary, department of security, CTA. 

“We will review the security arrangements in some of the prominent monasteries and necessary steps will be taken accordingly,” he added. He said an advisory has been issued to all the monasteries situated in the region. Sikyong and other Tibetan leaders have expressed deep sadness over the serial bomb blasts at Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar.

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the series of blasts at Mahabodhi Temple. My prayers for the injured and their family members,” Sikyong  (Tibetan PM in exile) Lobsang Sangay said in a 

statement.

The serial blasts in Bodhgaya on Sunday left two people injured, besides damage to the  templeproperty.Meanwhile, the Tibetan community residing in Dharamsala also organised a prayer service at Tusglakhang temple for the fast recovery of those injured in the blasts.