Dalai Lama arrives in Imphal to address peace conference

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 17

Spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, the 14th Dalai Lama, has arrived in Imphal today to attend an international peace conference to be held tomorrow at the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound, Imphal.

The Dalai Lama arrived at the Tulihal airport around 10.35 this morning by an Indigo plane along with 18 others including a Tibetan minister, an official each from Ministry of Home Affairs and External Affairs etc.

At the airport, the spiritual leader, who was declared a state guest, was warmly received by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Y. Khemchand, Khurai MLA L. Sushindro, Chief Secretary and representatives of various ethnic groups of the state dressed in their traditional attires.

From the airport the Dalai Lama was escorted to Raj Bhawan under heavy security measures and met with the Governor. The Dalai Lama will be staying at the the Raj Bhawan during his stay in Imphal.

The state will be organising a civic reception programme tomorrow for the visiting spiritual leader at the City Convention Centre where he will be felicitated by the state.

After the reception programme the Dalai Lama will address a peace conference organised at the City Convention Centre followed by interaction with public and dignitaries. Prior to that programme he will be holding a press conference at the mini auditorium.

The Dalai Lama is here in Imphal following an invitation extended by the Speaker Y. Khemchand, during the latter’s visit to Dharmasala. He will leave Imphal for Dharmsala on October 19.

This is the second visit of Dalai Lama in the Northeast this year.

He had visited Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the month of April amidst strong protest from China to India not to allow the spiritual leader to visit Arunachal Pradesh.