Author: Amit Mukherjee
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 12, 2002
The disappearance of nearly 500
visitors from Pakistan is worrying the Intelligence Bureau. In a report
submitted to the Union home ministry, the agency said, "They are all not
traceable anywhere."
Of these visitors, more than 375
were to visit destinations in Gujarat. Apart from Gujarat, the missing
persons were also headed for Delhi (about 10), Punjab (12) Uttar Pradesh
(about 10) and other destinations in Rajasthan, Andhra and other states
According to the bureau, all Pakistanis
visiting India in the last one year on special permits should have left
the country by January 1, 2001 after all channels of communication between
the neighbours were snapped in the wake of escalating cross-border tension.
Diplomats were sent back and the Samjhauta Express and Sadbhavna bus services
were stopped.
"But these people have probably
managed to stay back," said an officer. There is no record of their having
left the country.
According to the existing rules,
Pakistani nationals visiting the country are required to obtain resident
permits as soon as they arrive on visas. While the duration of the stay
is never more than 90 days, in special cases, an extension is granted on
request.
"But since January 1, these people
could not be traced and neither is there any record as of now to point
to their having sought extensions of their visas as a span of 90 sources
said.
So far, the IB has not commented
on their where-about the possible motive for their staying back or their
probable activities. But doubts are being raised in the backdrop of the
unrest in Gujarat and other isolated pockets of the country.
It is understood that the home ministry
is likely to forward the matter to the respective state governments to
have the matter investigated further.
