Japanese national detained in Maoist-hit area

A Japanese national, claiming to be a photographer of a news agency, was detained at Madhapur village in Maoist-affected Salboni area of West Midnapore district today by the joint forces.

The man, who identified himself as Pakechi Farukeji, could not explain why he had been moving in the area for the past two or three days, police sources said.

Though he had a valid tourist visa, he could not produce documents to prove his contention that he was a photographer for a news agency, the sources said.

The West Midnapore police have contacted the Japanese consulate in Kolkata, the sources said.