Gangtok: Two Chinese-origin US nationals violated Sikkim’s entry laws by illegally entering the state before being discovered in Rumtek and subsequently pushed back from the Rangpo checkpost on March 9 by authorities.
According to sources, the two women, aged 56 and 31, were first denied entry at Rangpo on February 14 after failing to produce mandatory clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to enter Sikkim. After being turned away, they proceeded to Kalimpong but returned on February 20, this time bypassing the Rangpo checkpost.
It later came to the notice of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) Sikkim that the two US nationals were residing at the home of their relative in Rumtek, a teacher at the Rumtek Monastery. Both women were seen attending the Tibetan Losar festival at the monastery, sources informed.
Rumtek Monastery is the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa, with Ogyen Trinley Dorje being one of the claimants to the Karmapa title. However, Ogyen Trinley Dorje has been outside India since May 2017 after the Indian government imposed travel restrictions on him. He has since acquired citizenship of Dominica, a Caribbean island nation.
The two US nationals not only entered Sikkim without prior MHA clearance but also failed to obtain a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), as required by law. Foreign nationals of Chinese origin fall under the Prior Reference Category, which mandates prior approval from the MHA before applying for an RAP.
The FRRO and Sikkim Police took immediate action against the two Chinese-origin individuals for their violation of Sikkim’s entry regulations. Both were questioned at the Rangpo Police Station on March 9 before being pushed back from the Rangpo checkpost.
Authorities stated that the violation was intentional and carried out in collusion with a relative residing in Rumtek.
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