New Delhi: A day after China asked it to
"properly handle" the arrest of its three nationals, India on Friday said the country has a sound and transparent legal framework to handle all these issues.
Noting that the matter was within the competence of the
security agencies, government sources said, "We have
well-established procedures and a legal framework -- a sound
transparent legal framework -- to look into all these issues.
But it is for our security agencies to see what is to be
done."
The Chinese nationals, including a woman, were arrested
near the Indo-Nepal border for allegedly sneaking into Indian
territory and taking pictures of vital installations,
according to Indian paramilitary personnel.
The three, identified as Liao Xing, Yu Dangli and Yang
Liu, were arrested by Shashastra Seema Bal (SSB) near
Rupedhiya border in Uttar Pradesh on January 17 when they were
taking pictures of some important installations. They were
booked for illegally entering the country and under the
Passport Act.
Insisting that they were "tourists" and not spies, the
Chinese Foreign Ministry yesterday said, "In recent days three
Chinese tourists crossed over to Indian border by mistake
along the India-Nepal border. They were detained by Indian
police.
"The Chinese Embassy in India is in touch with the Indian
police and urge the Indian side to properly handle the issue,"
the Chinese office said.
PTI
