Slovak detained along Mizoram-Myanmar border, likely to be deported 

A Slovak man was detained at the Mizoram-Myanmar border for attempting to cross without a permit, facing possible deportation.

A 58-year old citizen of the Slovak Republic was detained by the Assam Rifles along the Mizoram border on March 24 when he was allegedly trying to cross over to Myanmar to meet a friend, a government official said. He has been handed over to the Mizoram police.

The Slovak man, who lives in Thailand had travelled from Bangkok to Kolkata and then further to Aizawl as suggested by his friend, a Myanmarese national, whom he had met at a resort in Thailand where he worked a few years ago.

“This was his first visit to India. On his friend’s advice, he took a flight from Kolkata to Aizawl and further travelled to Lungpuk village (in south Mizoram) in a taxi. He planned to cross the border where his friend was expected to receive him,” said the official.

He told officials that he was going to his friend’s place at Ramree Island in Rakhine State, Myanmar to celebrate the Thingyan Festival, which begins on April 13 and marks the Myanmarese New Year.

Mizoram Director General of Police Sharad Agarwal told The Hindu that verification of the Slovak man’s antecedents is underway and he has not been arrested yet.

Another government official said that the foreigner is likely to be deported, noting that he did not have a protected area permit (PAP) with him. Nothing suspicious was found on him, the official added.