AIZAWL, April 17 - Two Indian citizens were sent to judicial custody on Thursday for illegally crossing the Indo-Myanmar border in Mizoram after they completed their 14-day quarantine period.
The duo, currently lodged in the Champhai district jail, were booked under relevant Sections of the Passport Act and the IPC.
�Even though they are Indian citizens, they crossed the Indo-Myanmar border after it was sealed when the lockdown came into force, making them liable for prosecution,� a police official said.
They had been kept at a quarantine facility at Keifangtlang on the outskirts of Champhai. On completion of their quarantine period on April 16, their medical examination was conducted. When it was confirmed that they did not have any symptoms of COVID-19, they were forwarded to jail.
According to Champhai Police, there are three more Indian citizens, currently under quarantine, who had also crossed the international border during the lockdown. �Once they complete their quarantine period, they will also be sent to jail,� the police official said.
Amid the lockdown, nobody is allowed to cross inter-State or international borders.
According to official sources, 2,576 persons from Mizoram are reported to be stranded outside the State, including 185 abroad.
Earlier, the Mizoram Government had made attempts to bring the people from the State stranded in the neighbouring States back home after making necessary arrangements with the respective States. However, this could not become possible as the Central Government announced extension of the lockdown with stricter measures.
The Mizoram Government said the citizens stranded in the cities having Mizoram Houses have been asked to stay at the houses free of cost. The State Government also requested the Chief Secretaries to look after the Mizo community in their respective States during the lockdown.
The Mizoram Government has launched a website for the people stranded outside the State.
As many of the stranded citizens are students and employees of private companies, who may soon run out of money, the Mizoram Government is contemplating giving them financial assistance.
On the other hand, there are 2,839 people, including 47 foreigners, being stranded in Mizoram, the official sources said.
