With things not moving in favourable direction, Swiss couple, Mathiyas and Celina, stranded at Attari border joint checkpost for the last one week, today rushed to Delhi for permission to bring with them two ponies, a dog and a scorpion to India.

The mission of peaceniks, who are on world tour on foot, hit a roadblock after the Customs Department refused entry to animals, citing stringent laws. The couple has walked across 17 European and Asian countries, and the animals had been with them all through. However, Indian laws ban import of animals.

“We were kept in dark by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad when the visas were issued. We will not leave the animals here, but will seek special permission from higher authorities in Delhi,” said Celina. Showing the documents of ownerships of animals, they said the ponies were meant for carrying their luggage. “We have the documents regarding the animals’ health and identity,” said Mathiyas.

Customs Department officials said they have allowed the entry to Mathiyas and Celina, but as per the rules, the import of animals was banned through land route. When told that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and former CM Captain Amarinder Singh had brought lambs and a horse during their visits to Pakistan, the Customs officials said they had got special permission, which the Swiss couple would have to seek from Delhi.

“We are on a mission to spread awareness about peaceful co-existence of diverse people and a violence-free world. We are stuck here and our tour is in jeopardy,” said Celina, adding that they were spending cold nights on the border. “Though the department here has assured us help, we will now move to Delhi as it is taking too long,” said Mathiyas, adding that they faced no difficulty in Pakistan.

ML Malgotra, Additional Commissioner, Customs, earlier said their hands were tied due to the stringent laws. “We are aware about their problems and want to help them. We have taken up the matter with the higher authorities in Delhi,” he said.