GANGTOK, August, 10: Even after a year of reopening the trade through the Nathula Border may have been nothing much to talk about, a fraud case has surfaced, which may further undermine the significance of this historical Pass.
A trader from Gangtok was recently cheated at the Rinchengueng Trade Mart by a fellow trader from the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China.
Talking to Nirmal Mangar ,journalist with local newspaper today, the businessman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that he had been cheated by one of the Tibetan traders on a consignment of raw silk from China.
According to him, he had handed over 25,000 Yaun (which comes around to Rs. 10 lakhs in Indian currency) to one Mima on July 21 last month after an agreement signed between the two of them in the presence of other traders.
Mima used to carry out regular business from the Tibetan Autonomous Region. His business credential at the Border was identifiable by the registration number 0000741.
However, despite a prolonged wait, Mima never turned up with the said consignment of raw silk. “Sensing something foul, I repeatedly made calls to his mobile, but it appeared not in service,” the trader from Sikkim said. Later, an FIR was lodged at the Police Check Post in Nathula.
During an investigation by the Yatung Police of TAR some shocking facts surfaced. It was found out that the Mima was not a genuine trader and had forged the travel permit after paying a huge sum of 20,000 Yaun.
The Chinese Government, according to source information, had earlier rejected Mima’s plea for the issue of travel permit.
The TAR Police had assured the victim all possible help to nab the culprit. But later during a meeting, the local trader was informed by the TAR Police that they were unable to trace the person and suspected that Mima might have entered India after crossing the border on foot. All the relevant documents including the agreement have been kept by the Yatung Police.
The local trader said that he will file a FIR here at the Sadar Thana, and also inform the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Commerce and Industries and the Chinese Embassy.
“We had developed immense trust and faith amongst ourselves for the last one year but this incident shattered everything,” lamented the trader.
This is perhaps the first case of forgery reported after the re-opening of Nathula Trade route after a gap of 44 years last year.
A trader from Gangtok was recently cheated at the Rinchengueng Trade Mart by a fellow trader from the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) of China.
Talking to Nirmal Mangar ,journalist with local newspaper today, the businessman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that he had been cheated by one of the Tibetan traders on a consignment of raw silk from China.
According to him, he had handed over 25,000 Yaun (which comes around to Rs. 10 lakhs in Indian currency) to one Mima on July 21 last month after an agreement signed between the two of them in the presence of other traders.
Mima used to carry out regular business from the Tibetan Autonomous Region. His business credential at the Border was identifiable by the registration number 0000741.
However, despite a prolonged wait, Mima never turned up with the said consignment of raw silk. “Sensing something foul, I repeatedly made calls to his mobile, but it appeared not in service,” the trader from Sikkim said. Later, an FIR was lodged at the Police Check Post in Nathula.
During an investigation by the Yatung Police of TAR some shocking facts surfaced. It was found out that the Mima was not a genuine trader and had forged the travel permit after paying a huge sum of 20,000 Yaun.
The Chinese Government, according to source information, had earlier rejected Mima’s plea for the issue of travel permit.
The TAR Police had assured the victim all possible help to nab the culprit. But later during a meeting, the local trader was informed by the TAR Police that they were unable to trace the person and suspected that Mima might have entered India after crossing the border on foot. All the relevant documents including the agreement have been kept by the Yatung Police.
The local trader said that he will file a FIR here at the Sadar Thana, and also inform the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Commerce and Industries and the Chinese Embassy.
“We had developed immense trust and faith amongst ourselves for the last one year but this incident shattered everything,” lamented the trader.
This is perhaps the first case of forgery reported after the re-opening of Nathula Trade route after a gap of 44 years last year.
