PANJIM: In the four months since the detention centre came into existence, almost 13 foreigners who stayed in the State without valid documents have been deported to their home countries. The count is soon to increase, as another 22 illegal foreigners, are currently detained at Goa’s first-of-its-kind facility.
Among the 35 detained so far, was a pregnant lady and a mother-infant duo, besides four Nigerian nationals. Details with Herald indicate that of the 13 persons deported, five hailed from Tanzania followed by three from Uganda, while two were Russians and one each from Brazil, UK and Ukraine.
With the onset of the tourist season last month, the Police Department has increased raids, mainly in the coastal stretch, to identity foreigners illegally staying in Goa. The centre has given some respite to the law-enforcing agency, as these foreigners are not let off with mere fines and warnings from the court, but it is ensured that they are deported. Moreover, until their correct identity is established, followed by a communiqué to the respective Embassy, the foreigner is kept at the detention centre.
“Once a foreigner is caught staying in Goa without valid documents, he/she is produced before the FRRO who passes an order to detain and deport the concerned. An illegal foreigner is kept in the detention centre until he/she makes arrangements to pay the fine as well as ticket to travel to the home country,” Superintendent of Police (FRRO) Bosco George told Herald.
The requirement of a detention facility in the State was felt after more than 200 Nigerians created havoc on Porvorim highway in October 2013, protesting the murder of one of their compatriots at Parra. In a crackdown on Nigerians thereafter, the FRRO and local police had identified hundreds of Nigerians over staying in the State.
Former Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar had announced in the Legislative Assembly in August 2014 that the facility would be set up within two to three months with the help of the central government. Although delayed, the detention centre came up at Mapusa by converting the old sub-jail and commission in May-end 2019.
