Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 4: Himachal Pradesh Police on Monday arrested a Chinese national in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, for allegedly residing in India without a valid visa. The arrest has drawn heightened security attention due to the area’s sensitivity as the residence of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The arrested individual has been identified as Lou Wennian, 60, a native of Sichuan province in the People’s Republic of China, according to his passport, which was reportedly issued in Yunnan province. Preliminary investigations suggest that Lou may have previously served in the Chinese police, though officials said his service record and current status are still under verification.
Police said Lou entered India via Nepal in late September 2025. At the time of his detention, he was found to be in possession of only a Nepali tourist visa, valid from June 29 to September 26, 2025, and did not hold a valid Indian visa. Despite the expiry of his permitted stay, he allegedly continued to reside in rented accommodation in and around the McLeod Ganj area for nearly 130 days.
An FIR has been registered under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act at the McLeod Ganj police station for illegal stay in India. Police also noted that the mandatory Form C, which foreign nationals are required to submit when renting accommodation in India, was not filled out in this case. Authorities said legal action will be initiated against the concerned property owner for the violation.
Given the security sensitivity of McLeod Ganj, particularly its proximity to the Tsuglagkhang Complex and the Dalai Lama’s residence, police have intensified scrutiny of the suspect’s movements. CCTV footage from across the area is being examined, and Lou’s mobile phone and electronic devices have been seized for forensic analysis. He is currently being questioned with the assistance of a Chinese language expert, as he is not fluent in English or Hindi.
Kangra Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratan confirmed that central intelligence agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), have been informed of the arrest. Sources also revealed that approximately four lakh Chinese yuan were found in the suspect’s bank account, further adding to the concerns being probed by investigators.
Police said the suspect was taken into custody after his suspicious presence was reported to the security branch of the Kangra SP’s office. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain his background, intent, and activities during his stay in the region.
The presence of a Chinese citizen living illegally in Dharamsala obviously is part of communist China’s influence operation and interference in the recently held elections. The person in question did not possess an Indian visa but sneaked into India is a worrying sign of how easy it is for the Chinese to enter India. On the Indo-Nepal border, you can easily pay some cash and they allow those who have no proper papers. I have been travelling through these border check points (Saunali and Kakarvita) in the years gone by. It is true that the Nepalese treat the Tibetans more harshly but when it comes to fleecing a weary Tibetan traveller, both the Indians are Nepalese are the same. The Chinese citizen must have masqueraded as a Tibetan to enter into Indian territory. The CCP sent an elderly man so as to avoid raising suspicion among the locals since most of the previous spies they sent were young Chinese or young Tibetans who were caught! It is sincerely hoped that Tibetans have not interacted with him and accepted money from him in order to carry out the CCP’s agenda of rooting out Tibetan Independence advocates! The CCP is very concerned about Tibetan independence advocates just as it is with Taiwan independence supporters. It is so concerned that any Taiwanese who advocate independence for Taiwan is liable for execution even though Chinese laws don’t apply in Taiwan. It is to intimidate those who hold independence ambitions for Taiwan. In the case of Tibet, even though Tibet is under illegal and brutal Chinese communist occupation, it is none the less worried about Tibetan independence and seek to suppress them in any way and in the exile community there is no dearth of pro-CCP elements who are more than happy to dance to the tune of the CCP in the name of U-May Lam. I have grave concern that one of the most ardent advocate of Tibetan independence has been removed from holding office through the diabolical machinations of the CCP and its proxies in the exile community. If this comes true, I would conclude that this was the handy work of the China man in cahoots with Tibetan collaborators to fulfil the CCP’s agenda!