Chinese national held for flying drone in Bodh Gaya/ENG

2018. november 20./Phayul.com/TibetPress

eredeti cikk

By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, Nov. 20: A Chinese national has reportedly been nabbed by the Indian police in Bodh Gaya for flying a light weight drone without necessary permit on November 13. The incident has sent the local police and security agencies into high alert, considering Bodh Gaya, a place of pilgrimage and of great reverence to Buddhist world wide has seen a bomb attack in July 2013.

Senior Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar confirmed that the Chinese national, whose identity is currently being withheld, is in custody and is being interrogated by different security agencies. Kumar declined from divulging any further details and said that the incident is “sensitive and as such needs in-depth probe”.

Reports claim that the Chinese man has said that he is not aware of any laws over flying drones in the country. Indian daily Times of India reported that memory card from the seized drone did not contain “anything incriminating”.

Indian law mandates that drone owners submit the UID (Unique Identification Number) assigned to each drones, over to the directorate general of aviation to avail special permit.

The Tibetan leader and foremost Buddhist figure His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Bodh Gaya in December and February for religious teachings. The presence of the Tibetan leader attracts thousands of devotees from around the world as well as from occupied Tibet, that adds to the security arrangements there.

Bodh Gaya which is considered the holiest site by Buddhists saw a series of bomb blasts in July 2013 at the Maha Bodhi temple and its vicinity. Last year, police discovered crude bombs near the same temple.