Maselo Mihu (left) and Sorang Yumi with VK Malhotra, President of Archery Association of India
Photo: NDTV
Two young archers from Arunachal Pradesh, Maselo Mihu and Sorang Yumi, have been prevented from competing in the Youth World Archery Championships in Wuxi, China. They were unable to board their China-bound flight from Delhi Airport on October 10 because immigration officials refused to give them clearance due to their stapled visas. The 14 year old girls were members of the Indian team selected by the Archery Association of India.
Stapled visas are visitors’ entry visas issued on a separate paper which is then stapled to the passport, rather than stamped on the passport. China issues stapled visas for Arunachal residents as it regards the Indian State as Chinese territory. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that it is “a flexible way” of enabling personnel movement “pending an overall resolution of the boundary question” and shows “the two sides’ commitment and sincerity to uphold peace and stability” in border areas.
There have been two similar cases of athletes from Arunachal being prevented from competing in China. In all three cases India has made strong protests about the issue to China, but has been met with the same response, that China had a “consistent” visa policy for disputed territories.
Print
Email