Operation VISTA: Delhi Police trace 18 foreign nationals overstaying in India

New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) Delhi Police's Outer District have intensified its drive against foreign nationals overstaying in India under Operation VISTA, with a total of 18 foreign nationals found residing in the district after the expiry of their visas and other travel documents, officials said on Saturday.

The special verification drive was launched to trace and verify foreign nationals suspected of overstaying in the country. 

The operation was carried out by the Foreigner Cell of the Outer District in coordination with local police stations.

According to the police, those apprehended during the drive included nine Thai nationals, four Nigerian nationals, three Bangladeshi nationals, one Ugandan national and one Guinean national.

Police said that deportation proceedings against the foreign nationals found to be illegally overstaying have been initiated in coordination with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and other concerned immigration authorities.

The Foreigner Cell of the Outer District, led by Inspector Sunder Singh, was assigned the task of tracing and verifying overstaying foreign nationals in the district.

As part of Operation VISTA, police teams have been conducting verification drives, gathering intelligence and taking preventive measures to identify individuals residing in India without valid documentation. 

Foreign nationals found to be overstaying or residing without valid documents are being detained, and appropriate legal action is being initiated in accordance with the law.

Police said the objective of the drive is to detect illegal immigrants, prevent unauthorised stays and ensure strict enforcement of immigration laws against those found violating the prescribed legal provisions.

A dedicated team comprising Head Constables Umed, Ravinder and Ashish, Constables Rohit and Sumer, and Woman Constable Renu was constituted under the leadership of Inspector Sunder Singh, In-charge of the Foreigner Cell. 

The operation was conducted under the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer District) Vikram Singh.

During a focused verification drive, the Foreigner Cell received specific information about certain foreign nationals, suspected to be from Bangladesh, who were allegedly residing in the area despite the expiry of their Indian visas. Police also learnt that they were planning to shift to other locations.

Acting on the information, the police team reached the area near Peeragarhi Chowk and DDA Park and maintained discreet surveillance. 

On noticing the presence of police personnel, the suspects allegedly attempted to disperse to evade verification. However, the alert team acted swiftly and intercepted them.

The three individuals were identified as Shihab Sanjid, Md. Arman Miah and Mehedi Hasan Rabby, all residents of Bangladesh.

During verification and questioning, police said none of the three could produce valid identity or travel documents. Further scrutiny revealed that they were carrying expired passports and visas, confirming their unauthorised stay in India.

After the completion of the necessary legal formalities and interrogation, all three were taken into custody. Deportation proceedings against them have been initiated in coordination with the FRRO.

In a separate verification exercise, teams from Paschim Vihar East Police Station, Nihal Vihar Police Station and the Foreigner Cell in Outer District, conducted extensive checking of other foreign nationals residing in the area.

During the exercise, a total of 15 foreign nationals were apprehended for verification. 

The group comprised nine Thai nationals, four Nigerian nationals, one Ugandan national and one Guinean national.

On a thorough examination of their documents, police found that the individuals were carrying passports and visas whose validity had expired. 

Necessary legal action is being taken against them for allegedly overstaying in India, officials said.

Further proceedings are being initiated in coordination with the concerned immigration authorities and the FRRO in accordance with the law.

The apprehended foreign nationals include three Bangladeshi nationals -- Shihab Sanjid, Md. Arman Miah and Mehedi Hasan Rabby; four Nigerian nationals -- Onyeka Emmanuel Ndedigwe, Njideka Esther Emmanuel alias Esther, James Nwachukwu Chukwu and Promise Akowe; one Guinean national, Buntche Precious; nine Thai nationals; and one Ugandan national, Umar Lubowa.

--IANS

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