Jalandhar, Feb 12 (PTI) The Doaba region of Punjab, know for the high rate of migration to foreign countries, is witnessing a rise in number of people being deported after falling victim to illegal racketeeres who promise high paying jobs at foreign shores. Nearly 45 per cent of the total number of Punjabis who go abroad in search of better jobs are from this region, which is often called the “NRI belt” of the state. Lured by touts with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, youths from the area, who resort to illegal means to go to foreign countries or overstay their visa period, are forced to return. “Nearly 40 people are coming to this area every day from different countries. Last year, about 16,477 people were deported,” Parneet Singh, the region’s passport official said. The last year’s figures include people who had return to India to escape the unrest in Libya, Singh said, adding, the passports of some of these people were retained by their employers and they had to come back with the help of emergency slips. Over the last five years, about 70,500 people have been deported, he said, adding the figures have seen a significant rise during this period. The financial downturn and tightening of visa norms in most countries could have been the reasons for this, he said.
News Source: IBN Live
