Hansraj Ahir calls for creation of visa-based data of foreigners visiting India

Union minister of state for home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir on Thursday called for the creation of “visa-based data” of foreign nationals visiting India.

While speaking at the 70^th Raising Day Parade of Delhi Police held in northwest Delhi’s New Police Lines, Ahir stressed on creating a database of foreign nationals visiting India since many a times, they overstay their visa.

“It is the need of the hour to work on creating this data to safeguard our country,” he said while referring to the recent arrest of a Nigerian by the Narcotics Control Bureau for allegedly smuggling cocaine by ingesting it.

The minister also said that 85,000-strong Delhi Police is under tremendous pressure since it guards the national capital that houses the Parliament and various ministries.

“Delhi Police has to be more alert while doing their duty. You don’t have to only contend with criminal elements but also forces that are trying to weaken the country,” he said.

He also referred to the recent data released by Delhi Police that portrayed a marginal decline of two per cent in rape cases in 2016 and hoped that the good work will continue in the future.

“Incidents of rape came down by two per cent and we hope that they should reduce by 20 per cent. There has been a decline in cases of molestation, kidnapping of children and these things (the decline) should continue in the future,” Ahir said.

He assured Delhi Police that the Centre will support police in every way, while alluding to the huge promotions given in the force last year and the allocation of Rs 6,378.18 crore to Delhi Police in the Union Budget, including an almost nine-time increase in the Nirbhaya fund from last year.

Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik said that his first priority is to develop a better sense of security among people of Delhi, a point also made by Ahir in his address.

“We will increase our patrolling and presence so that criminals fear us. In order to ensure that the personnel are motivated, we will ensure that promotions are given on time.