Ladakh Shuts in protest against bombs found in Bodhgaya

The Ladakh region today observed a peaceful bandh to condemn a low-intensity explosion near the Kalchakara ground in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, where Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and Buddhist pilgrims are participating in a month-long Kalchakra puja since January 2.
Two crude bombs were also recovered near the Mahabodhi temple. The bandh call was given by the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the All Ladakh Gonpa Association to condemn the act of terror. The Leh town wore a deserted look as all business establishments remained closed today.
Ladakh Buddhist Association vice-president Rinchen Namgyal said the bandh was also observed at Changthang, Nobra and Zanskar. He said the bandh was supported by the Merchant Association, Leh. Namgyal said a peaceful bandh was observed today to express resentment over the planting of crude bombs at the Buddhist sacred place and hurting their religious and spiritual sentiment.
He said: “Thousands of pilgrims from Ladakh have gathered at Bodh Gaya to listen to the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, so we are concerned about their safety and security.”
The Ladakh Buddhist Association and the All Ladakh Gonpa Association also submitted a joint memorandum to the Prime minister, Home Minister and the Bihar Chief Minister through the Leh Deputy Commissioner, urging them to hand over the case to an independent investigating agency such as the CBI in view of the sensitivity of the case. The two bodies said the discovery of the bombs had brought back the memories of the 2013 serial blasts on the Mahabodhi temple complex. The memorandum read that the people of Ladakh strongly condemned the barbaric act of anti-elements in Bodh Gaya.t read that planting the bombs was the most coward, inhuman and brutal act as as it would have caused casualty to thousands of pilgrims and followers of the Dalai Lama who have come from all over the world.