Dalai Lama arrives in Manipur

Imphal Oct 17 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama arrived here on Tuesday on a three-day visit to Manipur.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand received the Dalai Lama who has been declared a state guest at the airport.

There was tight security at the airport and the Dalai Lama came out in a bullet-proof vehicle. Soon after his arrival he went to the Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Najma Heptullah.

This is the first time the Dalai Lama is visiting Manipur. His earlier visit to Arunachal Pradesh led to a diplomatic row between India and China.

The Dalai Lama has lived in self-imposed exile in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. Around 100 000 Tibetans also live in India.

--IANS
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