Amid the ongoing 90th birthday celebrations of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) carried out a raid at McLeodganj in Himachal Pradesh and arrested a man allegedly linked to a Khalistani terror financing, the Tribune India reported.
The raid, which was conducted near the residence of His Holiness, triggered heightened security concerns in the wake of a large number of VVIPs attending the spiritual leader’s birthday celebrations.
However, on Saturday, July 5, NIA issued a statement categorically denying the raid at McLeodganj and stated that a search was carried out in relation to a human trafficking case.
“The search has no connection either with His Holiness Dalai Lama or with any case related to Khalistani terrorists, and the reports to the contrary in a section of the media are completely false,” the statement read.
Dalai Lama birthday celebrations
The Tibetan government-in-exile has organised a weeklong series of events to celebrate the birth anniversary of the 14th Dalai Lama here.
As part of the celebrations, a long life prayer ceremony was held at the main temple that was attended by over 15,000 people.
A revered leader to millions of Buddhists around the globe, the Dalai Lama is seen as a symbol of non-violence, compassion and for his tireless campaign for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule.
Three days ago, His Holiness put rumours at rest, announcing there will be a successor after he passes away and reaffirmed that the 600-year-old institution will continue.
