Asked to leave, but when did they arrive?

Asked to leave, but when did they arrive?
Preetu Nair, TNN

PANAJI: German national Karl Heinz Tetzener is not the only foreigner whose date of entry into Goa is not known. The cops have no clue of the
entry date of any of the 122 foreigners served deportation orders between 2002 and 2008.

The foreigner’s registration office (FRO) is also clueless about the whereabouts of four foreigners served deportation orders as they have no confirmation of their having left the country, reveals information obtained by TOI under the Right to Information Act.

Add to this three foreigners overstaying due to court cases pending against them and four others who have approached the court after having been served deportation orders for being involved in “undesirable activities”.

A majority of those served deportation orders were convicted for overstaying under the Foreigner’s Act, while 11 convicted under the NDPS Act were also issued deportation orders.

Explaining why the foreigner’s date of arrival in Goa is not known, an FRO official said, “If a foreigner, especially on a tourist visa, arrives in some other part of the country and then comes to Goa, we don’t have their date of arrival in Goa. However, instructions have been issued to local police to keep a check on foreigners so that they don’t overstay or violate the provisions of law.”

11 March 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition