Sikkim man held with licenced pistol at India-Nepal border

Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) A Sikkim resident apprehended by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) while attempting to enter Nepal with a licensed firearm on October 4 has claimed that he had no ulterior motive and was unaware of the procedure for depositing the weapon before crossing the international border.

Tashi Palki Bhutia was detained during routine vehicle checks at New Bridge, Panitanki, by the Border Intelligence Team (BIT) of D Company, 41 Battalion, SSB, Panitanki.

During a search of the vehicle bearing Sikkim registration plates, officials recovered a .32-calibre pistol, two magazines, forty-nine 7.65 mm live rounds and one 7.65 mm empty cartridge case from his handbag.

Bhutia produced a valid arms licence permitting him to carry the firearm in the states of Sikkim and West Bengal.

However, officials noted that the licence did not authorise him to carry the weapon into Nepal.

An official said that, except in special circumstances, individuals are not permitted to carry weapons into another country.

According to the official, Bhutia stated that he was travelling to Kakarbhitta in Nepal to receive his spiritual guru.

As Kakarbhitta is located just across the Mechi River, which forms the natural boundary between India and Nepal, he allegedly believed there would be no difficulty in carrying the weapon.

The official said Bhutia could have faced serious legal consequences had Nepalese authorities found him in possession of the firearm.

He could have been prosecuted and imprisoned under Nepal’s strict firearms laws.

The official explained that the proper procedure would have been to declare the weapon at the Customs office or Kharibari Police Station, deposit it there and obtain a receipt before crossing the border.

The weapon could then have been collected upon his return.

Officials pointed out that Nepal has stringent regulations governing firearms.

Only a limited number of licences are issued following a rigorous verification process, and citizens are generally not permitted to carry firearms in public.

There is also no provision for issuing temporary permits to foreign nationals for carrying weapons.

Officials said that foreigners found carrying firearms in Nepal are liable to arrest and imprisonment.

Another official noted that most countries maintain strict regulations regarding the carrying of weapons by foreign nationals.

Exceptions are generally limited to security personnel accompanying visiting VVIPs and sportspersons participating in authorised international competitions.

Bhutia, along with the firearm and ammunition, was handed over by the SSB to Kharibari Police Station.

Officials indicated that he may be released after verification of his intentions and a warning.

However, they cautioned travellers against carrying firearms across international borders without complying with the relevant legal procedures.

–IANS

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