Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir administration has established a high level committee to identify and monitor foreign nationals who have remained in the Union Territory (UT) beyond permissible period.
On Wednesday, the UT government officially announced a committee with the specific mandate of identifying and monitoring individuals who have remained in the Union Territory beyond their permissible period.
The order was issued by the J&K’s Additional Chief Secretary, Home, R. K. Goyal on Wednesday.
“Comprising of six members, the committee is tasked with identifying foreign nationals who have been illegally /overstaying in the UT of J&K since 01.01.2011,” reads the order copy.
The Financial Commissioner/Additional Chief Secretary Home, is heading the committee and his role will be pivotal in overseeing the operations and coordination of the crucial initiative. The other members include representatives from the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Bureau of Immigration (BOI) in Amritsar, Punjab; the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Special Branch in Jammu and Srinagar, all district SSPs/SPs within the region and a Special Coordinator from the Integrated Visa and Foreigners Registration Tracking (IVFRT), National Informatics Centre (NIC) Jammu & Kashmir.
“The committee has been directed to prepare a comprehensive monthly report about the status of foreign nationals who are reported as either missing or overstaying in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The same report will be due by the 7th day of every month to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India,” sources within the Home Department here said.
“The move is Union Territory’s commitment to enforcing immigration regulations, national security and maintaining accurate records of foreign nationals within its jurisdiction. It is important for intelligence and security agencies to monitor the presence of foreign nationals within their jurisdiction, ensuring that they (foreign nationals) abide by visa and immigration rules and do not pose any potential threats to the security scenario,” he added.
“As the committee begins its work, the move will not only enhance the security and regulation of foreign nationals within the UT but also ensure that the J&K remains a safe destination for visitors coming from different parts of the globe,” said a source within a security establishment.
