– Chinese national without Protected Area Permit in Kinnaur
– Himachal Pradesh tourist permit requirements.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : The authorities in Himachal Pradesh are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a 34-year-old Chinese national who managed to reach the village of Sumdo near the India-China border in the state’s Kinnaur district without obtaining a Protected Area Permit (PAP). The individual, identified as Yudong Guo, was accompanied by a woman from Maharashtra and had entered Sumdo, a protected area, via Dubling. It was revealed that he was carrying documents indicating that he was married to the Indian woman.
According to the Himachal Pradesh Police, foreigners traveling beyond Dubling are required to obtain a Protected Area Permit, while Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). Yudong was taken into police custody and remanded until June 10 by the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur.
The Superintendent of Police in Kinnaur, Shrishti Pandey, declined to provide further details about the case, citing its sensitive nature and implications for national security. She emphasized the importance of the Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals, highlighting that it is distinct from the Inner Line Permit issued to Indian citizens.
Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, areas falling between the ‘inner line’ and the international border are designated as protected areas. In Himachal Pradesh, specific regions in Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti districts near the international border have been declared as protected areas. These include villages like Khab in Kinnaur and Samdo, Dhankar, Dubling, Tabo, Gompa, Kaza, and Morang in Lahaul & Spiti.
The issuance of Protected Area Permits is overseen by the Ministry of Home Affairs, with local administrative officials in the relevant states also authorized to grant permits. Travel agents and tour operators play a crucial role in facilitating the application process for foreign nationals seeking a Protected Area Permit.
Yudong has been charged under Section 14A of the Foreigners Act, 1946, for entering a restricted area without a valid permit. This section stipulates that individuals caught entering protected areas without authorization may face imprisonment ranging from two to eight years, along with a fine of at least Rs 10,000.
The authorities have shared information about Yudong with central agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau, to ensure comprehensive investigation and adherence to national security protocols. The case underscores the importance of adhering to permit requirements and regulations when traveling to sensitive border areas..
Protected Area Permit Chinese national Kinnaur carrying.
