Bhubaneswar: With the central government revoking visas of Pakistan nationals across the country in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack, Odisha took swift steps to trace such persons residing in the state and facilitate their deportation.
Officials said altogether 12 Pakistan nationals have been identified in Odisha and they have been issued notices by the authorities to leave India by April 27.
The development has left several cross-border marriages across the state in uncertainty. Pakistani nationals who have mingled with locals and are holding long-term visas, have been asked to leave the country by the timeline fixed for the purpose.
Of those affected by the move is Sarada Kukreja, who had come from Sindh province of Pakistan to India around 40 years ago. She settled in Odisha at the age of 18 on a short-term 60-day visa with her father.
While she made Odisha her home and married a local Mahesh Kukreja, a Hindu from Balangir, her attempts to get Indian citizenship have failed.
The woman has been warned that if she fails to comply with the exit order and leave India, legal action will be initiated against her as per Indian law.
Feeling helpless, Sarada said she will never go back to Pakistan as she has nobody in that country. “I request Prime Minister Narendra Modiji with folded hands not to separate me from my family,” she said.
Similarly, Pakistan’s Nagma Yusuf has settled after marrying businessman Mohammad Nizamuddin in 2008. Her request for visa extension has not been completed, and she has been issued a notice to leave India.
“This is an emergency situation, and everybody should understand it. The government should move with the process, whatever they feel is right,” said Nizamuddin.
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena said police have identified a Pakistan national in the state capital from an online website. As per the order, we have issued her notice to leave India by April 27,” said Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena.
Rezia Sultana has been settled in the Soro area in Balasore district after marrying a local resident when she was just 16. She has also been issued a notice by the government to leave India by tomorrow.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that the state government has already started the repatriation process and there should not be any problem in deporting the Pakistan nationals.
