Afghans staying in the steel city are striving for Indian citizenship even as the intelligence department and East Singhbum police continue to bicker over their legal status in this country.
The 50-odd people, belonging to the Pashtun tribe from war-ravaged Afghanistan, have been living in Jamshedpur for several decades — some as legal migrants and many as illegal settlers, claims the intelligence bureau (IB).
“We have specific inputs that there are over 50 Afghan nationals in the steel city. However, only 31 of them have legal papers. Besides, some of them keep going elsewhere from time to time,” said an IB source, adding that an internal inquiry was on.
East Singhbhum district police’s foreign section inspector, Surendra Singh, however, negated the IB’s claim.
Singh said all the Afghans, staying in Jamshedpur, had valid residential permits, which is renewed every year by the Foreigner Regional Registration Office for only Rs 5.
“We have names and whereabouts of each and every Afghan. A majority of them are living here since the past five decades, they all are genuine immigrants,” Singh added. He also confirmed that the Afghans repeatedly apply for Indian citizenship.
Noor Pathan, who stays at Golmuri, said: “We do not face any problem in India. Back there in Afghanistan, it’s hell. We consider ourselves as Indians and want to live here as long as we are alive.”
One of them, Ayub Khan, who resides in Jugsalai, recently managed to get an Overseas Indian Citizenship (OIC). “The provisions under the OIC allow an Afghan all rights of an Indian citizen, except for right to franchise. Khan has married a local girl,” said the inspector.
In 2001, the foreign section received a circular to stop any procedure to send these Afghans back to their country until a final decision was taken by the Centre.
However, the Afghans’ act of marrying local girls and then extending their families are the district administration’s main concern.
The Pashtuns stay at places like Golmuri, Jugsalai, Mango and Dhatkidih in Bistupur and are engaged in garments and money-lending business.
