Odisha Acts on MHA Directive Against Pakistani Nationals

Move follows MHA directive after Pahalgam terror attack. Odisha Orders 12 Pakistani Nationals to Leave by April 27.

Bhubaneswar, April 26: In response to the increasingly serious national security situation, the Odisha government has embarked on the deportation of twelve Pakistani nationals, who have been living in the state on Long Term Visas (LTVs). The deportation was initiated at the instruction of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which asked all state governments to monitor and regulate the presence of Pakistani nationals.

The twelve Pakistani nationals currently in Odisha and living at various locations in the state were all granted LTVs to remain in India on some humanitarian grounds such as family reunion. However, following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in 26 dead civilians the Centre has taken a stiffer position on the foreign nationals from unfriendly neighbouring countries.

The Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha has stated that the exit action had been a started to assess and individuals have served formal notice to leave the country by April 27. The notices were served by local police with the presence of district administration officials.

“We got directives from the Centre to do the needful. Most of them were here on valid documents on the basis of normal visa conditions but now they happen to be on the radar,” said a senior official of the state government requesting anonymity.

The directive is part of a country-wide campaign targeting those residing in India and holding Pakistani passports and visas, regardless of visa status. According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the state governments have been directed to take ‘immediate actions’ to identify and deport all Pakistani citizens that do not fall within the current security framework and does not allow for continued residency. After reports emerged that certain Pakistani nationals had used dishonest methods to obtain Indian identity documents, bilateral relations have increasingly come under scrutiny in some parts of the country. Odisha has, at this point, only found cases involving LTV candidates and no other such incidents have yet been reported. At present, all LTV holders are being reviewed and background-checked.

Human rights groups have called on the government, in some cases, to consider humanitarian issues, particularly concerning family. Yet national security concerns remain paramount for both the state and federal governments.

At this point, neither the affected persons, nor their legal representative have offered any formal response. The state representatives have said they will provide assistance with respect to the logistical aspects of the exit, including collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs.

This marks a significant change in India’s internal policy towards foreign nationals especially for those in states with which India has unresolved diplomatic issues. Expect more updates to follow.