Staff Reporter

Sarpang dzongkhag court sentenced two men in relation to a case of illegal entry across the international border on July 6. 

Gyeltshen was sentenced to four years, six months and a taxi driver, Dhan Bahadur Ghalley was handed two years, three months in prison. 

Gyeltshen was charged for aiding and abetting entry of a lady from across the border into Shawaley on June 3, and Dhan Bahadur was charged for ferrying unauthorized individual from Shawaley till Gelephu town that day. 

Gyeltshen took the taxi from Chhokhorling under Dekiling gewog to pick up the Indian woman from Dargyethang under Shompangkha gewog in Sarpang on that day.

However, an eyewitness informed the police about the incident. Police intercepted the taxi at Jigmiling while he was returning after dropping the couple in Gelephu town. The driver confessed to picking up the woman from Shompangkha.

The man and the woman were later found in a hotel in Gelephu. 

While the lady was handed over to her family the same day by concerned authorities, the two men were immediately placed under quarantine. Upon completion of the quarantine period, they were charged and prosecuted in accordance with due process and rule of law.

The Covid-19 task force in Phuentsholing appeals to the general public to refrain from such selfish and reckless acts when the entire nation is working hard to prevent the importation and transmission of Covid-19 in Bhutan.

In this context, the task force urges the public to comply with all Notifications and measures put in place to mitigate the risks of importation and transmission of Covid-19 in the country.

Meanwhile, in another case, a truck was detained at the Chhukha checkpoint for ferrying one illegal immigrant towards Phuentsholing without completing formalities and obtaining prior approval at around 4.15am on July 11.

The driver of the truck, Jigme from Chaskhar, Mongar, initially declared that the passenger (illegal immigrant) covered by blanket was his ailing father. However, this was found to be untrue upon removing the blanket by the official on duty.

The illegal immigrant had travelled all the way from Mongar in the same truck.

Relevant law enforcement agencies are carrying out further investigations and legal action shall be taken against the perpetrator in accordance with due process and the rule of law, stated a press release from the Covid-19 task force in Phuentsholing.

Employers are urged to remain extra vigilant and ensure that their foreign workers do not leave or abscond without completing formalities.