Bihar Police confirm threat to Dalai Lama event

A shadow of terror looms over the Buddhist Kalchakra puja at a holy site in Bihar's Bodh Gaya which is being attended by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and thousands of devotees, police said on Saturday.

A shadow of terror looms over the Buddhist Kalchakra puja at a holy site in Bihar's Bodh Gaya which is being attended by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and thousands of devotees, police said on Saturday.

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Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police Vinay Kumar said the central home department alerted about a terror threat to the religious event. “We have taken the threat perception of terrorist or Maoist attack over the puja seriously,” he said.

After the union home ministry issued an alert to the local authorities on the threat, hundreds of security men were seen deputed at various places at Bodh Gaya on Saturday.

Vinay Kumar said: "As far as the Dalai Lama's security is concerned, police are not taking any chances. Our best men have been given the responsibility of his security."

Bodh Gaya in Gaya district, about 100 km from here, is considered a stronghold of the Maoists.

Lobsang Choedak, the media officer of the Kalchakra arrangement committee, said the Dalai Lama’s security was tightened in and around the prayer venue and monastery.

The Dalai Lama is attending the 10-day 32nd Kalachakra puja, being held for world peace and brotherhood.

The Kalachakra puja, the biggest annual gathering of Buddhism’s Mahayana sect, opened with a sermon by the Dalai Lama and is being attended by nearly two lakh devotees.