India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) eased more visa restrictions and allowed the entry of certain category of foreigners and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). Foreign students with at least one Indian parent, foreign minor children with an Indian parent either an Indian citizen or OCI, dependent family members of foreign diplomats, service staff accredited to foreign diplomatic missions and consular offices have been allowed to enter India, as per the new order. The MHA has said that these people will have to “obtain a fresh visa of appropriate category” and added that these foreign nationals will not be “permitted to travel to India on the strength of any electronic visa obtained earlier.” In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the government had suspended visas of all foreigners on 11 March. However, on 22 May, the government allowed permitted four categories of OCI cardholders to enter India. These categories included: Minors born to Indians abroad holding OCI; OCI cardholders who want to come to India due to family emergencies; Couples, one of whom holds an OCI and one an Indian citizen, with a permanent residence in India; University students who are OCI cardholders and whose parents are Indian citizens living in India; International travel continues to remain banned as India is still grappling with a high number of coronavirus cases.
NRI from Bharuch shot at in SA town
A native of Bharuch, settled in South Africa, was shot at by some unidentified robbers in Venda town close to Zimbabwe border. The victim Imran Bashir Lalsaa, originally from Devla village of Jambusar taluka, works in a super market store in the town. His close relative Salim Patel, who also lives in Venda, said that Imran was going home after work along with his three colleagues when the robbers intercepted their car and flashed a gun. “After being robbed of cash, Imran tried to flee from the spot and one of the robbers shot him in his leg. Despite being injured, Imran kept running and hence survived. The robbers released his three colleagues after looting them too. Imran has been admitted to a hospital in Venda and his condition is stable,” said Patel.
