In Delhi for Games,9 foreigners never returned

While police are searching for the missing persons,they claimed they are not sure yet if the foreigners deliberately stayed back in India or are “victims of some unforeseen tragedy”.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also asked the Delhi Police to trace the foreigners and send them back to their respective countries. Police said they have contacted their native countries.

According to police,the missing persons were part of the Commonwealth Games Family Members (CGFMs) and were in India on NVP,which was treated as a multiple-entry visa valid from September 3,2010,to November 13,2010.

“While corroborating the travel details,it was found that nine foreigners who came to India during that period never went back to their countries,” said a senior police officer.

The Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO),which maintains record of all the foreigners entering the country,said they were yet to get a list of the missing persons and would initiate action only after that.

“As of now we have not received the list. The particulars will be known after the Ministry of External Affairs shares the details with us,” said Tetrus Tirkey,Assistant Foreigners’ Regional Registration Officer.

People overstaying the visa are arrested under the 14 Foreigners’ Act.

“We are scanning all the records and their places of stay to ascertain their location,” said the police officer.

As per a Government of India circular,the NVP was converted into an accreditation card for the visitors.

While most visitors arrived on the basis of the NVP,some came on the CWG visa issued by the Indian Mission. A few were also granted Temporary Landing Facility on arrival.

The athletes were provided accommodation at the Games Village,while other members of the delegation were put up at Hotel Ashok and Samrat in Chanakyapuri. The non-technical staff were provided accommodation at various locations in Delhi and nearby areas.