Chinese woman found overstaying visa in Bodh Gaya during Dalai Lama's visit; being grilled

 

• Intelligence officials are questioning the Chinese woman about the reasons she overstayed her visa and her purpose of visiting Bodh Gaya

After a long search of nearly 24 hours, Bihar Police traced a Chinese woman who overstayed her visa in India and was reported to be present in Bodh Gaya during the ongoing visit of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama . Officials said security was on alert around the Mahabodhi temple complex where the Dalai Lama addressed a gathering in the morning.

Bihar's Inspector General of Police (Magadh range) MR Nayak said he has been located and is being interrogated at the Bodh Gaya police station.

The Dalai Lama is in Bodh Gaya for Kalachakra, a 10-day festival revolving around the meditation and spiritual teachings of the Buddha.

The intelligence agency received inputs about a Chinese woman named Song Xiaolan, who was living in the country and was present in Bodh Gaya during the Buddhist spiritual leader's visit. Gaya police released the sketch of the woman and also shared her passport and visa details.

“We received information about a Chinese woman, who is living in India and currently reported to be in Bodh Gaya, which we verified and launched a search. Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harpreet Kaur said on Thursday that security personnel deployed in Bodh Gaya had been alerted for the Dalai Lama's safety in view of the inputs.

Intelligence officials are questioning the Chinese woman about her reasons for overstaying her visa and her intention to be in Bodh Gaya around the time of the Dalai Lama.

Officials also informed that the Chinese Embassy in Delhi has also been informed.

Security has been beefed up in Gaya around the Tibetan monastery where the Dalai Lama is staying and central forces like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have been deployed in different parts of the city. All are being closely monitored and even resident lamas are being issued separate identity cards to enter the premises.

The authorities have installed over 100 CCTV cameras around the Kalachakra ground.

According to ANI report, the Chinese woman was living in different parts of the country including Bodh Gaya for more than a year. However, there is no record of the Chinese woman's stay in the foreign section, the report said.