Curbs ordered on Pakistani nationals in Rajasthan town

JAIPUR: All local residents and hotel owners in Bikaner have been barred from giving a place to stay to undocumented Pakistani nationals, according to an order issued by the district collector that aims to remove all illegal immigrants from Pakistan from the district in the next 48 hours due to “unrest” following the terror attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel last week in south Kashmir’s Pulwama.

The order by district collector Kumar Pal Gautam prohibits locals from engaging in any “direct or indirect trade” with undocumented Pakistanis or employing them, bans the use of any Pakistani products, and bars hospitals from admitting any undocumented Pakistani nationals for treatment.

“District superintendent Bikaner had informed me on February 18 that there was massive public outrage against Pakistan after Pulwama incident. As Bikaner is a border district of Pakistan and number of Pakistanis are staying here, there is a risk to internal security,” the order read. The order says it will not be applicable to legal Pakistanis immigrants registered with Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO).

As per official records, five Pakistani nationals who are married to locals have been living in Bikaner on long-term visas. Gautam, however, contends that there are many more Pakistani nationals staying in the district “without proper documents”. He refused to give the exact numbers.

The DM, in the order, said that any Pakistani with an objection with the order can make a representation by meeting him. He added that police and security agencies will launch a search operation if the Pakistani national don’t leave the district within 48 hours. The order was issued on Monday night and will remain in affect for two months.

Hindu Singh Sodha, president of Seemant Lok Sanghathan, an organisation working for Pakistani immigrants, said, “Around 25,000 immigrants are in the state. They have been calling me since morning. This order will not have any impact but people are worried”, adding that he has written to CM Ashok Gehlot saying that Pakistani minority migrants are being harassed in Bikaner .