'Z plus' security of Tibetan spiritual leader withdrawn

The Himachal Pradesh government has withdrawn "Z plus" security provided to 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, the only major monk reincarnate recognised by both the Dalai Lama and China, police officials said.

The Himachal Pradesh government has withdrawn "Z plus" security provided to 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, the only major monk reincarnate recognised by both the Dalai Lama and China, police officials said on Thursday.

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"After reviewing the threat perception, the 'Z plus' security provided to the Karmapa has been withdrawn. We are following the directions of the central government," Kangra's superintendent of police Atul Kumar Fulzele told IANS.

He said now the Buddhist monk would be provided "X category" security, which is provided to other VIPs in the state like cabinet-rank ministers and judges of the high court.

Under the "X category", only one personal security officer would accompany the spiritual guru while he is on tour.

Fulzele, however, said that security personnel deployed at Karmapa's residence in the Gyuto Tantric monastery in Sidhbari near Dharamsala have been retained.

Gonpo Tsering, secretary to the Karmapa, said he had no information in this regard.

"We have no information (regarding the decision of the government to withdraw 'Z plus' security)," Tsering said.

The third most important Tibetan religious head after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, the Karmapa fled Tibet and sought refuge in India some nine years ago. Ever since, he has mostly lived in the Gyuto Tantric monastery.