Dalai Lama was also ultras' target

Terror trail: Home ministry had warned states four days ago

Apart from issuing the alert that the Mahabodhi temple figuring on terror radar, about four days ago the Union Home Ministry had cautioned states of a possible threat to the life of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, as fundamentalist might target him to take revenge for the sectarian clashes between Buddhist and Muslims in Myanmar.

A secretary in Dalai Lama’s office confirmed to Deccan Herald that his security has been reviewed, but refused to disclose further details. “There was a security review. We don’t, however, talk about his security issues. For that, you will have to talk to local police,” said Tenzin Takhla, a secretary in Lama’s office.

The Lama has already been accorded Z-plus security cover by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), given the threat he is suspected to be facing from the Chinese. But, for the first time, said intelligence officials, the Lama, known for having strong secular views, is facing threat from Muslim fundamentalists.

The security shield around the Dalai Lama’s official palace in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, and nearby temple and monastery he visits has also been scaled up by the Tibetan government-in-exile. Interestingly, the Lama also visits the Mahabodhi temple, which came under terrorist attack on Sunday, with his last trip to Bodh Gaya happening in January 2012, to participate in a ceremony. 

The spiritual leader is now in Bailukuppe, a Tibetan settlement near Mysore, and Karnataka police headquarters has advised local police to enhance the security blanket around the place.

From here, he will visit another Buddhist settlement at Mundagod in North Canara district. The intelligence branch of Karnataka police has tasked senior police officials, including the Inspector General of Police and Superintendent of Police at Mysore, to keep a close eye on the movement of people, besides enhancing the security, said a senior state police.

He accepted that the state has received an alert from the MHA regarding this.
The Dalai Lama is the religious head of the community, and that is why Muslims might want to target him as retaliation for the more-than-a-year-long ethnic violence between Buddhist and Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, explained intelligence officials.

Rohingya Muslims, believed to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh to the neighbouring country, have been denied citizenship by the Myanmar government.

The last time the MHA is said to have taken a second look at the Lama's security was sometime in May 2012, which was after the spiritual leader had claimed in an interview that he might be poisoned by a female Chinese agent.

Monks of 50 nations hold special prayer

Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar and other countries participated in the one-hour prayer on Monday evening.

Arvind Singh, member of Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), told PTI. Head of monasteries of different countries also attended the prayer.
The Bodh Gaya has Buddhist monasteries of 50 countries.

Singh, who took part in the prayer, said the temple remained open for monks and would be opened for general public on Monday.