Published by World Tibet Network News - Wednesday, March 26, 1997

Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, March 19 - Keeping in view the treat from Shugden Dorjee activities to the Dalai Lama and other seniors Tibetan leaders a high-level team comprising top Intelligence Bureau official and representatives of the External Affairs ministry was here to view the security arrangements. Security has been beefed up around the residence of the Dalai Lama following the murder of the Principal, Mr. Lobsang Gyatso, and his two students last month allegedly by activities of the Shugden Dorjee cult. Fourteen other Important Tibetan leaders are learnt to be on the hit list of Shugden activities.

A joint Director and a Deputy director of the Intelligence Bureau are learnt to have stress the need to expedite the installation of sophisticated equipment for which the External Affairs ministry had already sanctioned Rs 50 Lakh. The others who attended the meeting included officials from the External Affairs Ministry, the Tibetan Government-in-exile, and the Tibetan security setup.

Orders have already been placed for immediate installation of sophisticated equipment like an explosive detector, an X-ray baggage scanner, a deep search metal detector, a hand-held metal detector, a door frame metal detector, walky-talky sets and intercom system. It has also been decided to replaced the barbed wire fencing around the Dalai Lama palace with a 9-foot high wall for which an estimated Rs. 50 lakh has been prepared by the Public Works Department. The funds for raising the wall will be provided by the External Affairs Ministry.

While, a new vehicle have been bought for the pilot and escort in the Dalai Lama security, the External Affairs Ministry is considering a buying a bullet proof Mercedes car for the Tibetan Leader.

The Tibetan personnel, entrusted with the security of the inner circle and police personal manning the outer ring have been given special training by the Nation Security Guards. All 14 Tibetans, who are learnt to be hit list of the Shudgen activities, would have be provided security guards.

With the Shugden activities stepping up their anti-Dalai Lama campaign, there is an increase threat to the life of the Tibetan spiritual leader. Police investigation in last month's triple murder case, allegedly point towards the involvement of the Shugden activities. During the course of investigation the police also discovered that a Tibetan youth had been paid Rs. 10,000 by a top Shugden activist in Delhi to set on fire a photo studio in Mcleodganj to incite the local against the Dalai lama.

Top intelligence agencies are also probing into the aspect of a huge amount of foreign funds being provided to the Shugden Dorjee activities for their activities in India and abroad. In fact the Tibetan Government-in-exile has been accusing Chinese of raking up the controversy regarding the Tibetan Deity Shudgen Dorjee Lama to counter the influence of the Dalai Lama and weaken support for Tibets' Independence.

There have been accusation by the Tibetan Government-in-exile that China had effectivitely manipulated the newly converted Budddist foreigners to its advantage. They contest that China has never failed to take advantage to even the slightest disharmony amongst the Tibetans.

Concerns over the safety of the Dalai Lama has been growing ever since two Chinese army-trained Tibetan youths were arrested by the police last year on the suspicion of being Chinese spies.