The Bihar Police on Thursday detained a Chinese woman suspected of spying on Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, news agency ANI reported. This came after a security warning was issued this morning in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, during the Dalai Lama's visit, with authorities seeking for the Chinese woman.
According to Bihar Police, she has been discovered and is being probed at the Bodh Gaya police station.
Speaking with ANI, ADG (headquarters) JS Gangwar stated: "Police detain the suspected (Chinese) woman in Bodh Gaya in connection with alleged threat to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. She is being interrogated."
The woman, named as Song Xiaolam, was arrested near Kalchakra ground, where the Dalai Lama gives spiritual teachings, according to the press statement issued by the Bihar Police.
The 87-year-old Tibetan spiritual guru arrived at Bodh Gaya on December 22 and is set to stay until February 1. The Dalai Lama fled to India in April 1959 after China violently quashed an uprising against its authority in Tibet. Beijing has labelled the globe-trotting spiritual leader a "splittist" and terrorist.
The presence of the Chinese woman, named as Song Xiaolan, in Bodh Gaya has the Bihar police on edge, given the presence of the Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya for Kalchakra, a 10-day festival that includes Buddha teachings and meditations.
Late Wednesday evening, Gaya police released a sketch of the woman as well as her passport and visa information.
Earlier, the Superintendent of Gaya Police had said, "Input has come that a Chinese woman is living in Gaya. We were getting inputs for last 2 years. Searches are underway. At present, the Chinese woman has not been located, due to which many suspicious points are being raised. Suspicion of being a Chinese spy can't be ruled out," PTI reported.
"We have some preliminary information about this Chinese woman whose sketches we have released. But there is nothing concrete as of now. Security is very tight in the area around the Mahabodhi temple where the frisking is intensive and the number of CCTV cameras has also been raised," said Harpreet Kaur, the Senior Superintendent of Police of Gaya district.
The Tibetan Monastery in Gaya, where the Dalai Lama is staying for his holy trip, has been turned into a fortress, with even resident Lamas being granted individual identity cards for entry.
In contrast to prior years, officials stated the Dalai Lama's movements and access to him were strictly restricted this year due to the danger perception. In and around the Kalchakra Maidan, more than 100 CCTV cameras have been erected, HT reported.
(With Inputs From Agencies)