25 April 2008
Nepal torch security 'too harsh'
Ngawang Tenzin Jangpo, the abbot of Tengpoche Monastery in Nepal, told the BBC that the Nepalese government had gone too far in the precautions it was taking around the Olympic torch. Tengpoche Monastery, the main monastery of the Sherpa people, is situated in Solu Kumbhu district, next to the Tibetan border. Mountaineers and trekkers heading towards the Everest/Chomolangma pass the monastery and often get a blessing from the abbot before continuing their expedition. Nepal says it will use force to prevent anti-Beijing protests during the Olympic torch relay up Mount Everest in early May. Ngawang Tenzin Jangpo said the Everest region was a "zone of peace" and complained that "the home ministry has sent a huge number of army and police with guns and has also given them permission to open fire". Nepal has also brought in rules to stop summiteers carrying items such as cameras and electronic devices beyond base camp before 10 May. "I think it would be better that the United Nations should look after this issue, should monitor the Everest region, if there's any threat of shooting and disharmony" the abbot said.