Guwahati, March 11 -- Two US citizens of Chinese origin were pushed back from Sikkim on Sunday (March 9) after attempting to enter the restricted area without mandatory clearances.

The two US nationals had reportedly previously attempted to enter Sikkim illegally and had been residing there without authorization.

The women, aged 56 and 31, initially tried to enter Sikkim through the Rangpo checkpost on February 14 but were denied entry due to their failure to produce prior approval from the Union Home Ministry.

Foreign nationals of Chinese origin fall under the Prior Reference Category, requiring this clearance before obtaining a Restricted Area Permit (RAP).

Undeterred, they bypassed the Rangpo checkpost on February 20, entering Sikk...