Bengaluru, Dhns: Karnataka forms a major attraction for nationals from African countries to pursue employment or educational opportunities. Of the 53 African nations, nationals from 45 African countries are residing in the State.

However, these nationals are found not only flouting visa norms, they also figure in crime records. Of the 1,156 foreign nationals who are illegally residing in the State, 842 are from African countries.

The Bengaluru?City police have registered 281 criminal cases under NDPS (Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act, cheating, Indian Motor Vehicles Act, assault on public servants, prostitution have been registered against foreign nationals. Of these, 91 cases are against nationals from African countries.

Sudan nationals top the charts when it comes to flouting visa norms and overstaying. As many as 212 Sudanese, 29 South Sudanese are overstaying in the State. The numbers of other overstaying African nationals are from Congo - 175, Ivory Coast - 98, Nigeria - 98, Somalia - 25, South Sudan - 29, Sudan - 212, and Uganda - 28.

In Bengaluru, 912 persons have flouted the visa norms. Of these, as many as 455 are from African nations. Africans form the largest chunk of foreign nationals in the state - around 7,800. Of these, 6,214 reside in Bengaluru. This is as per the data furnished by Home Minister G Parameshwara to the legislature recently, and also as per the findings by P Harishekaran, Additional Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, who has submitted a report.

Parameshwara was responding to queries raised by BJP MLA R Ashoka on the various aspects pertaining to foreign nationals in the State.

This apart, as many as 25 Afghans, 31 Bangladeshis, 52 Iranians, 37 Iraqis, 12 Mongolians, 17 Syrians and 62 Yemenis are overstaying in the State.

As per the Home department, there are a total of 32,463 foreign nationals residing in the state. While 3,243 of them are on employment visa, 19,671 of them are on study visa.

According to the minister’s statement, the remainder of the foreigners are here on various visas like tourist, research, medical, and business. The department has also taken into account spouses of Indian citizens.

Parameshwara said that the police were keeping a close watch on the “activities” of foreign nationals in the state. Surprise visits are being paid to schools, colleges, hotels and homestays, with the police verifying their passports and visa documents. Special task forces have been set up at the district level to coordinate with the local police to identify overstaying foreign nationals.

Photo credit: DHNS