MYSURU: A total of 588 foreigners are illegally overstaying in Karnataka beyond their visa expiration dates while 531 foreigners, who have entered the country illegally, are residing in the state, with some of them having been deported.
The details were provided by Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara to questions asked by MLC Madhu G Madegowda in the Council.
According to the data, there are 7,953 foreigners with valid visas in the state. Of the 588 foreigners who are illegally staying in the state even after expiration of their visa, 542 were in Bengaluru city, 26 in Mysuru, 1 in Mangaluru, 2 in Hubballi-Dharwad, 11 in Bengaluru district, 4 in Ramanagara, and 1 each in Uttara Kannada and Raichur district.
Similarly, of the 531 foreigners who have entered the country illegally and are residing in the state, 439 are in Bengaluru, 2 in Mangaluru, 57 in Bengaluru district, 11 in Ramanagara, 12 in Shivamogga and 10 in Udupi. Interestingly, of the 439 illegal immigrants in Bengaluru city, a whooping 330 are from Bangladesh, 42 from Nigeria, 4 from Iran, 38 from Sri Lanka and one from Pakistan.
Furthermore, 402 foreigners who have been illegally staying in the state for the past three years have been deported.
Dr Parameshwara said that strict legal action is being taken against foreigners who continue to reside in the state after the expiry of their visas and passports, especially if they are found involved in criminal activities.
He stated that all the police commissioners and SPs have been directed to obtain detailed information from the FRRO on a monthly basis regarding foreigners staying illegally and to initiate appropriate action. Intelligence and crime personnel at the police station level have been tasked with closely monitoring the movements of such individuals. Reserve forces have also been deployed to keep surveillance on areas with a high concentration of foreign nationals, he said.
Dr Parameshwara added that when cases of overstaying foreigners are detected, details of the accused are shared with their respective countries and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Cases are registered and processed in courts, and the individuals are held at Foreigners Detention Centres (FDCs) until they obtain exit permits. Following the completion of legal proceedings, they are deported.
He further said that action is also being taken against educational institutions and others who aid or abet the illegal stay of foreign nationals.