Deporting 'illegal' foreigners...

| 14 January 2002 23:29 IST

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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