Journalists reach Tawang for Dalai Lama`s visit

Itanagar, Oct 5 (PTI) Around 50 newsmen, including those
representing foreign media, have so far contacted the
administration of the border town of Tawang in Arunachal
Pradesh for accommodation and permits to cover the visit of
Buddhist spiritual head the Dalai Lama from November 8,
officials said Thursday.
Chief Secretary Tabom Bam denied having received any
instruction from the Centre about restrictions on foreign
media persons following the recent war of words between India
and China over the visit.
China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as its own part,
accused the Dalai Lama of seeking to undermine Beijing's
relationship with New Delhi by visiting Tawang on the
Sino-Indian border. China had earlier opposed the visit.
Chairman of the state level reception committee T G R
Rimpoche said he had heard of an advisory to restrict the
movement of foreign journalists, "but it is not in black and
white. It may be verbal."
Rimpoche, a close aide of Dalai Lama and a former
minister, said according to his information some foreign
journalists have reached Tawang and some more may go in the
guise of tourists.
"We cannot drive them away from Tawang," he said. PTI