Ukrainian woman held while trying to cross into Nepal

Motihari: A Ukrainian woman was arrested near the Raxaul customs checkpost on Monday while allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal without valid travel or immigration documents.The arrest was made by a joint team of the Haraiya police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Officials said the woman was intercepted near Haraiya police station while heading towards the Harpur border.

During verification, she failed to produce a valid passport, visa or any other travel documents. She was subsequently arrested and is being questioned by police and immigration officials.Security agencies are investigating when and how she entered India, where she stayed and whether she has any links to an organised human trafficking network operating along the India-Nepal border.A case has been registered against her under relevant legal provisions and further investigation is underway. Officials said more details are expected to emerge after the probe.Police identified the woman as Oxana Shevtsova, 37. They said over Rs 7,000 was recovered from her possession. According to officials, she had reached Raxaul from New Delhi about three days before her arrest.