(a) whether a large number of foreign students are studying in the country;
(b) if so, whether some of the students have disappeared;
(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(d) whether some of them are diverting towards criminal/terrorist activities; and
(e) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1531 FOR
27.11.2007 REGARDING FOREIGN STUDENTS IN INDIA
(a): As per available information, 23,940 foreign students were studying in the country as
on 31.12.2006.
(b) to (e): Law Enforcement Agencies maintain a vigil to intercept overstaying/missing
foreigners. The detection and deportation of overstaying foreigners, including foreign
students, is a continuous process. Powers to detect and deport such foreign nationals have
been delegated to States/UTs under Section 3(2) (c) of the Foreigners Act, 1946. The States/
UTs are also advised, from time to time, to conduct special drives to detect and deport
illegally staying foreigners. A total number of 14933 foreigners were deported from India
during the year 2006 on various grounds including overstayal. The foreigners involved in
criminal/terrorist activities are dealt with by the law enforcement agencies in accordance
with laws of the land.