MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju expresses concern over mob attack during funeral of Dalai Lama's close aide

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has expressed deep concern over the alleged mob attack at Bomdila in the state, during the funeral of a reputed Budhhist monk, a close aide of the Dalai Lama.

"Attacks during such a somber occasion could be the outcome of instigation of the youths by some vested interest group that resulted in social tension," Rijiju said over phone from New Delhi.

Rev Tsona Gontse Rinpoche (47), the abbot of Tsona Gontselling in Bomdilla, had died suddenly in New Delhi on May 16 and the mob had damaged vehicles of the three MLAs of Tawang district on May 27 during the last rites. The mob had suspected foul play to be the reason for Rinpoche's death and had alleged that the three MLAs, Pema Khandu, Jambey Tashi and Tsering Tashi, who had gone to participate in the last rites, had a hand in it.

Asked if there would be a special probe to unravel the truth behind Rinpoche's suddent death, Rijiju said Delhi police was doing its job and he would seek a report.

Rinpoche had also served as minister of state for industry, textile and handicrafts, cabinet minister for tourism, chairman of the Advisory Council for Tourism Development (ACTD) and as chairman of Arunachal Pradesh Hydropower Development Corporation at different times. He was the first-ever Buddhist representative from the entire Himalayan region to attend the Millennium Union Nation World Peace Summit at the United Nations Assembly Hall.

The state government had constituted a high-level committee on May 29 to conduct an inquiry into the mob attack and submit its report within 15 days.