Chinese Woman Suspected Of Spying On Dalai Lama, Detained In Bihar

Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, is currently in Bihar to attend several events and citing his security in the state, Bihar police are on alert. A woman was detained in the Bodh Gaya district of Bihar and the police will take a final decision on her soon.

A Chinese woman who was suspected of spying on Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama was finally detained in Gaya after Bihar police searched for her frantically in the state. The search agencies were informed that of the woman keeping an eye on the whereabouts and actions of the Tibetan guru after which the agency released sketches of the woman in and around the Bodh Gaya district and whoever spotted her or knew her whereabouts was asked to inform the police on December 29.

On Friday, December 30, the Bihar police deported her to the Chinese embassy in New Delhi to be deported back to her country after violating visa rules. According to the reports, the woman has been living in India since 2019 when her visa allowed her only 90 days stay in the country at a stretch. Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office cancelled her visa and issued a 'Leave India' notice. Reportedly, meanwhile, an FIR was also filed against Ashish International Guest House, the guest house at Maharani Road where she was staying, for violation of the Foreigners Act.

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Chinese Woman Spying On Dalai Lama

Last week, Dalai Lama arrived at Bodh Gaya to attend a three-day event and offer discourses in Kalchakra Maidan. The Bihar police increased the security around the Mahabodhi Temple Complex where Dalai Lama was staying after the Ministry of External Affairs issued an alert because of an alleged threat to him. Reportedly, the devotees attending the event were subjected to go through a screening.

The Chinese woman was identified as Song Xiaolam who was detained outside Kalchakra Maidan. She is reportedly a divorcee with two children who arrived in India in 2019. She later went back to China but soon returned to India, stayed for some time in Nepal and then arrived at Bodh Gaya. However, there was no record of her stay in the foreign section. The police also shared her visa and passport details and the police are currently interrogating the Chinese woman.

Dalai Lama's annual visit to Bodh Gaya remained suspended for two years due to Covid-19 and resumed this year. The three days event began on December 29 and will conclude on December 31 where he will be imparting his teachings to the devotees. According to reports, China has been trying to influence the upcoming election of the next Dalai Lama by planting spies among Tibetan settlements in India over the past few months.