Hyderabad: Foreign nationals overstaying in the city and indulging in criminal activities are turning into a major headache for law enforcement agencies in the State capital.
Last week, during the lockdown, Rachakonda Police arrested five women from Uganda who were staying on in the country even after their visas expired and were allegedly indulging in prostitution. The police also seized drugs from them.
“The members of the group had come to the city on student and medical visas and were staying in Tolichowki in Hyderabad, despite their visas being expired. On a tip off, a trap was laid and the five women were nabbed,” Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh M Bhagwat said.
This is not the first time that the Rachakonda Police have nabbed foreign nationals for indulging in prostitution. Previously, a few women and men from other countries were also caught, who were allegedly found with drugs and were indulging in prostitution. “We also inform about such illegal stays to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office to oversee the deportation process,” the Commissioner said.
He pointed out that most foreign nationals abide by the rules of the land and pursue their jobs or education sincerely. However, some choose to break laws. During a recent analysis of cases, the police found foreign nationals settled in a few colonies in the western areas of the city particularly Tolichowki surroundings, Himayat Sagar Outer Ring Road and Rajendranagar, were involved in drug smuggling and sales apart from running prostitution syndicates.
A few months ago, the Banjara Hills police caught a few foreigners who had come on student visas and were organising prostitution in a colony in Tolichowki.
“Frequent checks are conducted based on information. Due to Covid-19, the surveillance might have come down, otherwise there is regular watch,” a Hyderabad Task Force official said. The Task Force also caught many foreign nationals selling drugs in the city after sourcing those from Bengaluru, Mumbai and Goa.
A Cyberabad Police official said several new apartments had come up in Bandlaguda and Rajendranagar where foreign nationals involved in criminal activities were taking shelter. “We appeal to house owners to verify the antecedents of people before renting out their properties,” he said.
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