The Goa government has notified Mapusa sub-jail in north Goa as a detention centre for foreign nationals awaiting deportation.
Under Indian law, a foreign national cannot be deported during the course of a trial or until the legal case reaches its fruition. North Goa Superintendent of Police Karthik Kashyap said foreigners caught for various crimes and illegal activities often extended their stay in Goa by purposely becoming part of criminal cases.
A detention centre will enable State authorities to house the deportees and ensure they are kept in check until the deportation process is completed. Mr. Kashyap said that the Social Welfare department would be the nodal agency and the Indian Reserve Battalion personnel would provide perimeter security. The premises chosen in the Mapusa police station sub-jail would be renovated by the State Public Works Department and is expected to be ready by next season.
The Goa government had expedited the process of creating an Isolated Detention Centre a few years back after Nigerian nationals blocked the National Highway No.17 protesting the murder of a compatriot allegedly by a local drug mafia. Many locals, policemen and Nigerians were injured in clashes. Over 50 Nigerians were detained by police in the case.
Currently, in the absence of a centre, foreigners held for visa regulations and other violations are booked, arrested and get released on bail. Some of them get arrested by police under drug crimes to extend their stay in Goa.
“A foreigners detention centre would solve most of our problems regarding foreigners, particularly Nigerians and Russians staying illegally and who are involved in crime,” said Mr. Karthik.
According to police statistics, in 2012 alone, nearly 40 Africans from Nigeria, Sudan, South Africa were arrested for overstaying using doctored visas in the North Goa district. Since 2011, 160 foreigners have been booked in Goa for overstaying under the Passports Act.
