PANAJI
Seventeen Pakistani nationals living in Goa on long-term visas remain safe from deportation for now as most of them are married to Indian citizens. Reliable sources confirmed to The Goan that 12 are based in North Goa and five in South Goa.
However, their movements are being watched with the state government also ensuring the deportation of three Pakistani nationals residing on short-term visas, as the Centre’s deadline for their compulsory exit ends on April 27.
“Maximum of the long-term visa holders are married to Indian citizens, with some even employed in the government. These Pakistani nationals cannot be deported without a directive from the Government of India. However, as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated on Friday, their movements will be closely monitored as a precaution,” the source said.
In the wake of heightened security concerns owing to the Pahalgam attack, Goa police and armed forces within the State have reinforced safety measures across key locations. Sources stated that public areas, including transport hubs, are seeing an increase in security presence, with day and night checkpoints (nakabandis) deployed to ensure vigilance.
Railway platforms are being closely monitored with un-ticketed persons being removed from the platforms and suspicious persons’ luggage checked.
Special attention has been given to areas with high migrant populations where combing operations were undertaken on Friday-Saturday. As a result, the district police have detained 28 under preventive action.
In a press statement issued by Superintendent of Police (North) Akshat Kaushal, the combing operations and nakabandis were conducted across several locations in the district on the intervening night of April 25 and 26.
He stated that the combing operations were focused on key areas such as Camrabhat- Miramar, Indiranagar-Chimbel, St Cruz, Merces, Ekta Nagar and Khorlim in Mapusa, Arpora, Nagoa, Auchitwado in Colvale, Vatadev in Bicholim, Hatwada (Valpoi), near Aldiea de Goa (Bambolim), Arambol, Donwado, Salvador de Mundo, Baga, Sinquerim and Malpem Railway Station.
“Search was conducted for any hideout of anti-social elements during the combing operation,” reads the statement.
Besides, nakabandis were held at 29 strategic points across North Goa, where vehicles were checked, and suspected persons questioned. Some were detained under preventive measures, and a "Stranger Roll" was compiled for further scrutiny.
According to the police report, a total of 770 tenants were verified, 325 servants/house help verified, 147 Stranger Roll entries made and 666 suspected persons rounded up.
“Besides, police staff was deployed at the railway stations at Karmali, Tivim and Pernem (Malpem) and bus stands at Panaji and Mapusa for checking of suspected passengers alighting from the trains/inter-state buses,” it said.
