STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The state government has instructed all Superintendents of Police (SPs) to strictly monitor the activities of foreign nationals who visit Assam on tourist visas, especially if they participate in public gatherings for proselytization purposes.
This development comes in the wake of 27 foreigners being detained in the last one month for violation of tourist visas rules.
As many as seven German tourists were detained in Kaziranga on Friday for the violation of visa rules. Earlier, 17 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested from the Biswanath district and three Swedish nationals were arrested for the same offence.
According to rules governing tourist visa, no tourist is supposed in religious preaching and related activities. However, it is significant to note that all the 27 foreigners detained by the police were engaging in religious preaching among local people. The visa rules provide for imposing fines amounting to US dollar 500 each for violation of visa rules. The seven German tourists have been fined $ 500 each and the steps have been taken for deporting them to their own country.
Assam's Special DGP GP Singh said on Saturday that the SPs have been directed to exercise extra vigilance in view of the recent spurt in cases of visa rules by foreign nationals. The SPs have been further asked to take immediate action if any tourist violates visa rules.
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