Eight from Africa, Oman convicted

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELGAUM, JULY 25. The JMFC Court of Bailhongal on Monday convicted eight foreign nationals from Islamic countries of Africa and Oman after they were found guilty of committing offences under Foreigners Act 1946 and Rule 10 of Registration of Foreigners Rule 1991.

According to the Superintendent of Police, Mr. Amar Kumar Pandey, Mohandin, Mohamadu, Mohammed Abdul (all residents of Mauritania in Western Africa), Usuf of Oman, Arbi, Mohammed Majuli, Rasid Masubi and Mohammed Ruhaiji (all residents of Morocco in North West Africa) have been found guilty of the law of the land.

A fine of Rs.500 and $ 30 each have been imposed on them. They will have to pay fine for not registering with the District Foreign Registration Officer (the District Superintendent of Police). Under the law of the land, they will be deported to their respective countries.

The foreign nationals were moving about in Nippani, Hukkeri, Saundatti, Gokak, Ramdurg, Bailhongal, Kittur and M.K.Hubli. The Kittur Police, on receipt of information, made inquiries with the visitors and verified their passports and visa. Though they had been granted visas, they were indulging in activities other than for which visas had been granted.

Police ascertained the claims of the foreigners that they were tourists but could not find any truth in the claims. In light of the recent explosions in churches in Hubli, Goa and Andhra Pradesh and the subsequent arrest of a few persons from Ramdurg and Athani taluks, the presence of the foreign nationals claiming to be tourists raised doubts about their possible connection with the serial bomb blasts.

Mr. Pandey, however, denied that they were involved with the incidents. Yet, police were trying to look into veracity of their claims.

Meanwhile, the Indian embassies in Morocco, Mauritania and Oman will be put on alert against issuing visas to the guilty for visiting India in future.

The ADG Intelligence and SP have congratulated the Bailhongal Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. N.M.Honyal, and the Kittur Police for their timely action.

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