Kharibari, 31st December: The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) military jawans apprehended a Russian national without a valid visa on the Indo-Nepal border near Bazaru Chhat, near the Kharibari Panitanki area for allegedly entering India from the border. The accused has been identified as Pavel Alexandrov (38).
According to reports, the detained Russian attempted to cross the Mechi River from Nepal to India on Saturday when the troops of the 41st battalion of the SSB on the border were alerted and immediately detained the individual. Upon investigating, the officials recovered his identity card indicating Russian citizenship. During interrogation, the individual proclaimed to be a citizen of Russia who travelled to India to visit the ISKCON temple.
Following further inquiry, the SSB handed him over to the Kharibari police. On Sunday, the accused was produced before the Siliguri court. The entire incident is under further police investigation.