Two Malaysians arrested for entering Sikkim without visas

Gangtok, Nov 6 (UNI) Two Malaysians were arrested for not possessing valid visas while trying to enter Sikkim through the Rangpo border checkpost.

The Malaysians, Ravi and M Girubanandhan, had tried to enter the sensitive border state of Sikkim yesterday without visas after a trip to Nepal. The duo was accompanied by a Nepal citizen, Sushil Manager, in their attempted entry to Sikkim.

Police today said a Sikkimese, Dina Rai, had brought the above foreign nationals. During checking at the Rangpo post, no visas were found from the Malaysian duo.

'' Nepal citizens do not need visas to enter India but they need an Inner Line Permit to enter Sikkim and it is granted by the State Government at the entry points,'' police added.

During investigation, it was found that the two Malaysians arrived at Nepal on October 25 and had visa to stay in the country till November 23. They were staying at Udaypur with their Nepal guide, Sushil Manager.

The Sikkim local had met them in Nepal and on November 4 brought the three to Majitar in East Sikkim. Yesterday they had gone to visit Darjeeling and while returning to Majitar once again were apprehended by the Rangpo police.

Sikkim Police had registered a case against all the four under Section 13/14 of Foreigners' Act 1946 and produced them before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (North/East) at Gangtok.

They had been sent to judicial remand at the Rongey jail here for a period of 15 days.

UNI BG SJC SBC AS1910