US citizen detained at Panitanki

SNS, Kurseong, 22 December 2013: A man from Minnesota USA, was detained at a check post at Panitanki near the Indo-Nepal Border in the Darjeeling district whose name was listed in the Lookout Circular issued by the Union ministry of Home Affairs.
It was learnt that one Scot Daneil Turner (42), from Minnesota USA was detained by police at Raniganj check post near Panitanki in the Indo-Nepal Border when he tried to enter India on Friday.
According to the Darjeeling SP, Mr Kunal Agarwal, the police officials who were at the check post found a passport and one PIO card (A person of Indian Origin, Card), including his name, that was listed in the Lookout Circular. Accordingly, an inquiry was initiated later and the concerned department as well as Foreign Regional Registration Office, Kolkata were contacted. On the basis of the investigation and reports he was not allowed to enter India.
Later, he was released and handed over to Nepal police.
As per the Darjeeling SP, even if one does not have a visa, a person holding such a card can enter and stay in India for some period and such a card is generally issued to those persons, who have married Indian persons or the person is originally from India.
It was learnt that Turner had married a girl from Nagaland, which may be how he was in possession of a PIO card.But as his name was listed in the Lookout Circular, he was not entitled to enter India. The reason behind the exclusion has not been disclosed by the concerned department.