Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Navi Mumbaikars face threat from foreign nationals?) that was published in Newsband

Navi Mumbaikars face threat from foreign nationals?

The Koparkhairane police in Navi Mumbai recently arrested seven Nigerians for residing illegally in the node after validity period of their visas got over. While the particular action taken by the police was in connection with defiance of norms on part of the foreigners, the residents of the satellite city have more reasons to worry as a section of the Africans is engaged in serious crimes like drug peddling.

It appears that such practices have been and going on in a concealed manner over the past one year. Someone said that one of the pubs in CBD Belapur is a place where drug is sold to youths. It seems that the drugs are brought to the city via Pune from Goa.

In addition to drug peddling, some Africans are allegedly involved in online lottery scams. In 2009, the cops had, in association with a Seawoods resident, arrested a Nigerian in connection with a online lottery scam. People still receive such mails sent by Africans staying here.

Besides Koparkhairane, Nigerians can be found in large numbers in Juhugaon in Vashi, Ghansoli, and nodes like Kharghar, Kamothe and Kalamboli. These men easily get rooms on rent of Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. For petty monetary benefits, the villagers allow them to stay put illegally. Earlier, Nigerians could be found in Kharghar only. But the number has swelled over one year.

This is evident from the number of Nigerians attending Sunday mass at Sacred Heart church in Vashi. Over a year ago, there would be one or two Africans at mass. Now, there are at least 30-40 of them. The nuisance level caused by them is high, especially for the women attending.

There are people coming to the city with tourist visas, which are not registered with police. Hence, their exact number cannot be established. But the police have a record of around 1,500 foreigners pursuing education and business here.

According to Navi Mumbai police commissioner Ahmed Javed, residents forwarding complaints to cops with specifications will be a big help for the security personnel in cracking down on people involved in drug peddling. He expects Navi Mumbai residents who have knowledge of Africans engaging in drug peddling to raise the matter with police so that action can be taken against them as per relevant law. Navi Mumbai police are keen to know whether residents of this city are really facing threat from foreign nationals.