24 People from Sindh, Pakistan, Arrive in Raipur Amid Nationwide Protests Against Terror Attack
Raipur
A group of 24 individuals recently arrived in Raipur from Sindh, Pakistan, identifying themselves as Hindus. Their arrival comes at a time when the entire nation is protesting against the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and the central government has instructed Pakistan nationals to leave India.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed all chief ministers to conduct searches and deport such individuals. Meanwhile, this group from Sindh arrived in Raipur on April 22 and met Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma on April 25, requesting not to be sent back.
Home Minister Vijay Sharma himself shared a video on social media showing his conversation with these Pakistani nationals. In the video, the individuals sitting before the minister identify themselves as Hindus from the Sindhi community and request to be allowed to stay in Chhattisgarh.
Among those who met Deputy Chief Minister Sharma was Sukhdev Lund, a resident of Khanpur in Ghotki district, Sindh, Pakistan, where the Hindu population is around 3,000-4,000. Sukhdev is currently in Raipur’s Shadani Darbar on a 45-day visitor visa along with his wife, two daughters, and a son.
Other individuals such as Ravi Lund, Nirbhay Batra, Roshan Lal, and Mahendra Lal also arrived with their families on the same day. The group comprises 24 members. In addition, around 100 more people from Pakistan have been living in Raipur for nearly a month.
All these individuals left behind their businesses and properties in Pakistan to come to India.
Home Minister Vijay Sharma assured the Pakistani nationals that they are being viewed as “Pakistan victims” rather than ordinary Pakistani citizens. He stated that discussions with the central government would be initiated so they would not have to return.
“They have abandoned their properties and arrived in Raipur. Therefore, we will treat them as victims of persecution from Pakistan and prioritize their case,” Sharma said.
Around 2,000 people from Pakistan are currently living in Chhattisgarh, with nearly 1,800 residing in Raipur alone. About 95% of them belong to the Sindhi community, while the rest are Muslims. Police are verifying the visa status of these individuals to determine under which categories they entered India.
Authorities are particularly focusing on those who arrived on SAARC visas, as the central government has specifically ordered only SAARC visa holders to leave the country. Police clarified that the SAARC visa is quickly issued for 24 categories of individuals.
Many Pakistanis have already built houses in areas such as Saddu, Mahaveer Nagar, Boriyakala, and Mana Road in Raipur. Some have also applied for and obtained Indian citizenship, while others are still in the process of verification.
A fresh list of such individuals is being prepared. Raipur SSP Lal Umed Singh confirmed to Dainik Bhaskar that the verification of Pakistani residents in Raipur is underway, including document checks and police station verifications.
SAARC VISA\
The SAARC Visa, introduced in 1992, was designed to facilitate travel among SAARC member countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — following discussions during the 1988 SAARC summit in Islamabad.
Under this scheme, eligible individuals received a special visa sticker, eliminating the need for separate visas. However, following the Pahalgam attack, this facility has been suspended.
Pakistani Hindus Exempted by Central Government\
After the Pahalgam attack, strict measures have been imposed on Muslims coming from Pakistan, requiring them to leave India within seven days. However, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that Pakistani Hindus holding Long Term Visas (LTVs) are exempted from this directive.
A large number of Hindus have migrated from Pakistan to India and are applying for citizenship. The government emphasized that its decision to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals does not affect those already issued Long Term Visas.
Long Term Visa\
Long Term Visas are issued to minorities — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians — from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It can also be issued in cases where an individual demonstrates strong ties to India. Typically, the LTV is granted for five years.
Rules for Obtaining Indian Citizenship
To acquire Indian citizenship, applicants must meet certain conditions, such as explaining why they seek citizenship in India rather than remaining in their home country, often citing persecution or oppression. Citizenship is governed by the Citizenship Act, 1955, which has been amended multiple times.
Anyone born in India after January 26, 1950, is a citizen. Those born after July 1, 1987, are considered citizens if at least one parent was an Indian citizen at the time of their birth.
Foreign nationals residing in India for 11 years can apply for citizenship. However, under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), non-Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh need only five years of residency to apply.
Applications for citizenship can be submitted through the Ministry of Home Affairs’ official portal: Indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in.
Have Pakistanis Been Granted Citizenship in Chhattisgarh?
Recently, three Pakistani nationals residing in Durg district of Chhattisgarh were granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act. Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary awarded them their citizenship certificates.
Collector Choudhary informed that Rami Bai, Baby Harshita, and Mayank had come to India from Pakistan in 2007 and settled in Ward No. 26, Sindhi Colony, Durg. They had applied for citizenship at that time. Following approval, the three expressed happiness over becoming Indian citizens.
