Deporting 'illegal' foreigners...
Sandesh Prabhudesai
14 January 2002
In view of getting prepared for war, Goa
has decided to deport all foreign nationals who are found
to have been overstaying illegally or seen moving in suspicious
manner in the tourist state.
"No foreigner will be harassed unnecessarily,
but we also cannot take everything for granted", said
chief minister Manohar Parrikar, while announcing all the
security measures adopted.
The general announcement to act against the
foreign nationals in the tourist state was made by Parrikar
soon after coming to power in November 2000. However, the
police department was working at snails pace in this regard
for over one year now.
It gained momentum
only a fortnight ago after terrorists attacked the Parliament
on 13 December. With tourism season reaching its peak here
during the Christmas season, the police started rounding up
such elements overstaying illegally.
Till date, informed Parrikar, the authorities
have detained 13 foreigners. Most of them are Nigerians or
Sudanese having Muslim origin, he adds, while clarifying that
most of them are involved in illegal narcotic trade.
"We are keeping watch on many such foreigners
who are seen moving in a suspicious manner", states the
chief minister. Besides those found to have been staying without
valid visa or other necessary documents, the state is also
planning to round up those who cannot prove their bonafide
in a convincing manner.
The local BJP government, in addition, has
also decided to demolish all the illegal structures that have
come up by encroaching upon any land within 200 metres of
any vital installation that is critical from national security
point of view.
Besides guarding all the important structures
in the sector, the huge Assembly complex was also seen guarded
by armed policemen from all sides as the weeklong winter session
from Monday.
Though Goa is considered to be the most peaceful
and disturbance-free state in the country, the BJP government
seems to be not taking any risk considering that India’s one
of the prime international tourist destination could be (mis)used
by the enemy camp.
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