2 Uzbek women held over illegal stay

Motihari: Security agencies deployed along the India-Nepal border at Raxaul arrested two women from Uzbekistan near Maitri Bridge at the Customs Chowk under the Haraiya police station area on Friday for allegedly staying in India illegally while attempting to cross into Nepal.According to officials, personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) intercepted the two women during a routine check at the border. During questioning and verification of their travel documents, officials suspected they had been staying in India beyond the permitted period. They were subsequently taken into custody and handed over to Haraiya police.The detained women were identified as Makhfuza, 32, and Maftuna Kilicheva, 35, both citizens of Uzbekistan.Police are conducting a detailed investigation into their travel documents, visa records, entry into India and the duration of their stay. Preliminary findings indicate that the two women had been staying in India illegally.Border security agencies are also trying to establish when and why they entered India and the purpose of their onward journey to Nepal. Further legal action will be taken after completion of the investigation and other necessary formalities.