Mumbai, March 17 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday that the state government has initiated a mechanism to reconcile immigration records in order to track down foreign nationals who are overstaying their visas or violating the terms of their stay.
Speaking in the state assembly, Fadnavis said that the government has already identified 69 foreign nationals involved in drug-related cases within the state and has deported them, while 122 have been sent to detention centers.
He also informed that the Central government has directed the immediate deportation of those committing minor offenses to prolong their stay in the country.
The chief minister noted that several foreign nationals enter India with valid passports and visas, particularly short-term medical visas, but later discard their documents to avoid detection.
"They overstay after their visa expires. We previously did not have a system to reconcile immigration data, but we are now introducing such a mechanism in Mumbai," he said.
Fadnavis also announced strict measures against cafes and shops that are illegally selling substances and operating beyond permitted hours, warning that strict action will be taken against such establishments, including the cancellation of their business licenses.
"Currently, licenses are suspended for such violations. However, we are bringing an amendment, under which repeated violations will lead to permanent cancellation of licenses," he said.
He noted that illegal activities, which were previously largely confined to bars, are now increasingly being reported in cafes as well.
He also cited the crackdown in the Vasai-Virar region of Palghar district, where 30 raids were conducted, and narcotics worth Rs 11 crore were seized.
Action will be taken not only against police personnel involved but also against senior officers who provide protection or fail to act against criminal networks, he said.
"The policy is clear: forward and backward linkages in criminal networks will be investigated, and all personnel found involved, irrespective of rank, will face action," Fadnavis said.
