New Delhi: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Friday condemned granting of stapled Chinese visa to two young women archers who were prevented at the IGI Airport from leaving for China to take part in the upcoming Youth World Archery Championship.
“We strongly object to the grant of stapled visas to two talented sportswomen who were on their way to represent the country,” he told reporters here.
Immigration officials at the airport had stopped Mihu Maselo and Yumi Sorang, who were the only two archers from Arunachal Pradesh in the 24-member squad, from boarding a China Southern Airlines flight to Guangzhou last night.
“We are an integral part of India. We are Indians, we cannot be denied the right to travel. This is a sad day for the youth of the state in particular and of the country as a whole which inspite of having so much talent are being deprived due to issuance of stapled visa,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he would take up the matter at the highest level and will appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take steps for early resolution of the stapled visa issue which is hampering the scope of Arunachal’s people.
Tuki today took up the matter with the External Affairs Ministry and sought its immediate intervention to facilitate the travel of the archers of the state to participate in the World Championships.
He spoke to the Joint Secretary in the MEA Gautam Bambawale, who is in charge of Sino-Indo affairs, and sought his intervention for issuance of regular visa to enable the players to participate in the championship.
The Chief Minister also met the two players at his office in Arunachal Bhawan here and assured all support to them. (PTI)