Maldivians in Kochi under scanner

[takeiteasy]

KOCHI: City has been becoming a home to lot of people from various parts of the country. But the presence of many Maldivians in the city has forced the Special Branch to conduct a thorough checking of the various pockets in the city where Maldivians have been found camping.

Though the city police have not come across any incidents of smuggling or anti-national activities involving Maldivians, they have launched the drive as part of a precautionary measure.

"We don't know why there has been a surge in the arrival of people from Maldives to the city.

The special branch wing has been able to identify an area near Karugapilly in the city where large number of Maldivians has been staying," said M N Ramesh, city special branch assistant commissioner.

The official said the police had conducted a preliminary enquiry to identify the reasons for the rise in arrival of Maldivians and it had been ascertained that these people were gradually moving out of Thiruvananthapuram,where they usually camp, due to various reasons.

Ramesh said that most of Maldivians staying in the city have been making use of a loop hole in the visa rules to stay permanently in the city.

"According to the rules, people from Maldives can stay in India continuously for 90 days without visa. What they usually do is to leave India on the 89th day and return the next day.

They keep on doing this to stay permanently in India," the official said."Most of them come to Kochi for business purpose. We intercepted a couple of Maldivians on suspicion and found that they were carrying large quantity of spare parts of various vehicles.

They brought the spare parts from various shops in Kochi," said the sources in the state police.

The sources added that they would be coordinating with the immigration wing of airports in the state, mainly Thiruvananthapuram, to ascertain the exact number of Maldivians landing in the state.

Maldivians in Kochi under scanner - The Times of India

 

[cyphercide]

Cops in Kochi are badass man.I remember one time we were there,we got caught for DUI and even though we had kids who were sons of serving MPs with us,they locked us up.Even after we threatened to get them transferred!

 

[takeiteasy]

I'm particularly curious why Maldives people are coming to Kerela? Why not Other places and other countries?

 

[cyphercide]

I'm particularly curious why Maldives people are coming to Kerela? Why not Other places and other countries?

Because Kerala has a healthy Muslim population and they feel comfortable there? No clue,just spitballing

 

[SpArK]

I'm particularly curious why Maldives people are coming to Kerela? Why not Other places and other countries?

They come for medical facilities, infact almost 80% are for that purpose and you can see majority of them living around medical centre area near Trivandrum. Even restaurants with maldivian food and even maldivian language sign boards can be seen plenty.

 

[harpoon]

They come for medical facilities, infact almost 80% are for that purpose and you can see majority of them living around medical centre area near Trivandrum. Even restaurants with maldivian food and even maldivian language sign boards can be seen plenty.

Not to mention many Maldivian kids are enrolled in City Schools.Also Trivandrum acts as a major market for Maldivians who buy everything from kitchenware to Gold for consumption back home.

 

[perplexed]

I think if they dont indulge in anti national activities they are always welcome.

 

[Abingdonboy]

What a joke!! Did it ever occur to the police that they came in search of economic prosperity given India's economic boom?!! Are all foreigners treated with such suspicion? I mean Pakistanis I could understand but MALDAVIANS?!!? It seems a bit heavy handed and unneeded especially if India is going to see an influx of foreigners coming to India to make some "cash". I suppose it's good that Coastal authorities are "switched on" but I don't think this is really what the new Coastal security focus was inteded for.

 

[Mech]

Maldivians dont necessarily "bring in cash" buddy. My advice, do a bit of reading on "why" they come to kerala. There are issues my esteemed colleagues from kerala have conveniently "obfuscated". However, i feel no inclination to foray into the subject any more than this particular post.

Regards,

 

[misterme2]

What a joke!! Did it ever occur to the police that they came in search of economic prosperity given India's economic boom?!! Are all foreigners treated with such suspicion? I mean Pakistanis I could understand but MALDAVIANS?!!? It seems a bit heavy handed and unneeded especially if India is going to see an influx of foreigners coming to India to make some "cash". I suppose it's good that Coastal authorities are "switched on" but I don't think this is really what the new Coastal security focus was inteded for.

Nah we should keep a focus on all Muslims who come from abroad especially the gulf.....we have too sadly.

 

[harpoon]

Nah we should keep a focus on all Muslims who come from abroad especially the gulf.....we have too sadly.

What about Indian Muslims going to gulf and coming in contact with extremists from other countries and taking that ideology back to India..... Because of the frequent interaction with Muslims from other countries especially in mosques ,some Indian Muslims suddenly becomes aware of the ummah and is all praise for whatever causes the extremists are fighting for. Some are so caught up in the Arab way of practicing Islam that they try to emulate it back home starting by covering their woman folk in purdah. Kerala police regularly arrest Muslims involved in fake currency and they are all traced back to Gulf and one intelligence agency of our 'dear' neighbour.

 

[takeiteasy]

seems some of these people are into drug trafficking. they wants to buy land in India.
---
Maldivians in Thiruvananthapuram under scanner
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government is treading cautiously with regard to the presence of Maldivian nationals in the State capital. Now, the spotlight is being turned on the purchase of land by Maldivians in the district.

Reacting to the issue in the State Assembly on Tuesday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the Union Home and Defence Ministries have warned Kerala about Maldivian nationals engaged in the purchase of land in the State.

The Chief Minister was replying to questions by M Hamza, R Selvaraj, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and A Pradeep Kumar.

To another question, he said that a subsidiary of Villa Foundation, a charitable society based in Male, was operating out of Hotel BG Continent near the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

Maldivian nationals have a strong presence in the State capital with many of them depending on hospitals here for medical treatment. On account of this dependence, Maldives also has a Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. They also are a part of the local economy, especially near the Medical College, as many of the local people rent out houses to them.



Maldivians in Thiruvananthapuram under scanner | Maldivians | | The New Indian Express

 

[third eye]

Having stayed & worked in the Maldives I can offer my humble opinion.

The major concerns in Maldives is education & Medical facilities. GOI has set up Indira Gandhi Hospital which is the equivalent of the AIIMS there. The Indian doctors there are very good , kind & helpful. The nearest places to go from Male are Colombo & Trivandrum.

GOI would do well to encourage Maldivians to study in India and allow them access to Govt Med facilities in TN & Kerala.

Maldivians are by & large simple hard working people. Islam ( Shia) is the only religion. What they suffer is lack of opportunities. Technically they are sound.

Lastly, at no stage must survellience be lowered.