Tag: DELHI

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India News

Delhi world’s most polluted capital city  

Of the 15 most polluted cities in Central and South Asia in 2021, 12 were in India. New Delhi saw a 14.6 per cent increase in PM2.5 concentration in 2021, 96.4 Ig/m3, up from 84 Ig/m3 in 2020, reports Asian Lite News

New Delhi has been ranked the world’s most polluted capital city for a second consecutive year followed by Dhaka (Bangladesh), N’Djamena (Chad), Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Muscat (Oman).

Of the 15 most polluted cities in Central and South Asia in 2021, 12 were in India. New Delhi saw a 14.6 per cent increase in PM2.5 concentration in 2021, 96.4 Ig/m3, up from 84 Ig/m3 in 2020.

The annual PM2.5 concentration averages in 48 per cent of India’s cities, exceeded 50 Ig/m3 or more than 10 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air quality guidelines.

Crop burning is common in India, especially in the rice farms near Delhi during the winter months.

During crop burning season, smoke is responsible for up to 45 per cent of pollution in the city.

These startling facts came to light on Tuesday in the 2021 World Air Quality Report according to which only three per cent of cities and no single country has met the latest WHO PM2.5 annual air quality guidelines.

The report analyses PM2.5 air pollution measurements from air monitoring stations in 6,475 cities in 117 countries, regions and territories.

IQAir’s 2021 World Air Quality Report is the first major global air quality report based on updated annual WHO air quality guidelines for PM2.5.

The new guidelines were released in September 2021 and cut existing annual PM2.5 guideline values from 10 Aug/m 3 to 5 Aug/m 3.

Fine particle pollution, known as PM2.5, is commonly accepted to be the most harmful, widely-monitored air pollutant and has been found to be a major contributing factor to health effects such as asthma, stroke, heart and lung diseases.

PM2.5 leads to millions of premature deaths every year. The key findings include no country met the latest WHO air quality guidelines for PM2.5 in 2021.

Only the territories of New Caledonia, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico met the updated WHO PM2.5 air quality guidelines.

Only 222 out of 6,475 global cities in the report met the updated WHO PM2.5 guidelines.

At least 93 cities in the report had annual PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 10 times the WHO PM2.5 guidelines.

Of 174 Latin America and the Caribbean cities, only 12 (seven per cent) have met the WHO PM2.5 guidelines.

Of 1,887 Asian cities, only four (0.2 per cent) have met the updated WHO PM2.5 guidelines.

Of the 1,588 cities in Europe, only 55 (three per cent) have met the WHO PM2.5 guidelines.

The report covered 2,406 cities in the US and found that an average PM2.5 concentrations rose from 9.6 Aug/m 3 to 10.3 Aug/m 3 in 2021 compared to 2020.

“It is a shocking fact that no major city or country is providing safe and healthy air to their citizens according to the latest WHO air quality guidelines.

“This report underscores just how much work remains to be done to ensure that everyone has safe, clean and healthy air to breathe. The time for action is now,” said Frank Hammes, CEO of IQAir.

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India News

IED found in rented Delhi home after bomb threats, hunt on for suspects

A Special Cell team, which reached the spot, found a bag in the house and some suspicious articles…reports Asian Lite News

Panic ensued after calls regarding unattended bags and bomb threats at two different places in east Delhi on Thursday, and a suspected IED was found in a house in New Seemapuri area and taken away by the NSG to be disposed of, police said.

According to a source, the incident is suspected to be linked to the Ghazipur incident, where an IED was found last month.

The house from where the device was recovered belongs to a man named Kasim and he had given it to some people who are now missing. A manhunt has been launched for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j-sXFq1oXE

The first case was reported from Shahdara area, police said.

A police official said that an unidentified bag was found in Shahdara district after Delhi Police and Fire Department received a bomb threat call at 2.15 p.m.

Meanwhile, another call, about an IED, was received at New Seemapuri and people, “taking it seriously” summoned National Security Guard personnel to the spot.

A Special Cell team, which reached the spot, found a bag in the house and some suspicious articles.

“Around 3 kg Explosive was found from his house in today’s search. Kasim had given the house on rent to few persons. But he didn’t get the verification of tenants done with the police,” a police official said.

The Special Cell has questioned a few persons in this connection including Kasim.

It has begun to collect CCTV footage of nearby areas to get a clue about the persons who were living there.

The police will also collect the dump data of 10,000 to 1 lakh cell phones which were active in the area, and will examine the data to identify suspect numbers.

Five to six teams of Delhi Police are looking into the matter.

Meanwhile, the NSG put the IED into bomb-defusing machine and took it to Dilshad Garden area where it was put in a hole to be destroyed.

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India News

Delhi records coldest February day since 2003

This rainfall is likely to occur due to the influence of a fresh active Western Disturbance and its induced cyclonic circulation….reports Asian Lite News

Delhi, with its maximum temperature settling at 14.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday, recorded the coldest day in February since 2003, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Delhi had recorded a maximum of 14.3 degrees Celsius in February 2003.

As per the IMD data, the national capital had recorded a maximum of 12.3 degrees Celsius in 1970 and 13.9 degrees Celsius in 1954, thereby, making Thursday, the fourth coldest day in February in almost seven decades.

The national capital along with its adjoining areas received light rain this evening. The drizzle, accompanied by strong winds up to 30-40 kmph, led to the maximum temperature dropping by almost eight degrees Celsius against Wednesday’s 22.4 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature at places like Lodhi Road, Ayanagar, Narela, Mayur Vihar, and Noida dipped to 13 degrees Celsius. According to the IMD, there is a possibility of drizzle on Friday and Saturday, as well.

This rainfall is likely to occur due to the influence of a fresh active Western Disturbance and its induced cyclonic circulation.

Delhi has been recording a maximum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius and above for the past one week. The maximum temperature is likely to rise to 21 degrees Celsius and minimum to settle between 8 to 10 degrees Celsius with shallow fog in the morning from February 7 onwards.

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-Top News India News

Delhi turns into a fortress ahead of R-Day

Over 27,000 personnel, 71 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), 213 ACPs, 713 Inspectors, Delhi Police Commandos, Armed Battalion officers and Jawans and 65 companies of the Central Armed Police Force to maintain vigil, reports Asian Lite News

Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana on Sunday said that over 27,000 personnel have been deployed in the national capital in view of the Republic Day.

“A total force of 27,723 personnel are deployed in Delhi,” the Delhi Police chief said in a press conference.

He further said that the total force includes 71 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), 213 ACPs, 713 Inspectors, Delhi Police Commandos, Armed Battalion officers and Jawans and 65 companies of the Central Armed Police Force.

The Commissioner said that for the past two months, the Delhi Police have been taking intensified anti-terror measures in the national capital. “Delhi has always remained a target for anti-social elements. This year too we are on alert. For the past two months, we are taking intensified anti-terror measures in Delhi in coordination with other security agencies,” Asthana said.

Notably, Delhi is currently under a heavy security cover after the intelligence agencies received inputs of a possible terror attack in the city in wake of the Republic day. “In the past two months you may have seen several police blockades around the city, checking of vehicles, hotels, lodges and verification of servants, tenants and labourers,” Asthana said, adding that vehicles are being thoroughly checked at all the entry and exit points of the national capital.

The Commissioner informed that the police have also secured the air space with ‘Counter Rogue Drone’ technology in and around the area where the celebrations will take place. “For this we have also taken help from other agencies to completely secure the area,” he said.

Commissioner Asthana had recently in an order said that as per the reports, certain criminal or anti-social elements or terrorists inimical to India may pose a threat to the safety of the general public, dignitaries and vital installations. In view of this, the Delhi Police chief put a ban on the use of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), micro-light aircraft, remotely-piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-size powered aircraft, quadcopters or even para-jumping from aircraft etc.

Sharing more details about the security scenario, the top cop said that apart from Delhi Police’s internal meetings for security arrangements, interstate coordination meetings were also held. “We also held meetings with DGPs, ADGs, CID Crime and ATS chiefs of other states to ensure full proof security,” he said.

As the social media remains a major tool for anti-social elements to spread misinformation, the Delhi Police chief said that their social media cell has been proactively monitoring all the activities. “Apart from awareness campaigns, we are also using social media to disseminate important and factual information so that no anti-social element is able to run a misinformation campaign,” said the Commissioner.

The Delhi Police chief added that the security arrangements have also been made after coordinating with the officers of all the agencies working in the Central Vista project.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi district) Deepak Yadav had informed that adequate arrangements have been made in and around the Rajpath for the Republic day parade. “Around 300 cameras with face-recognition facilities have been installed around the Rajpath to thwart any threat beforehand,” Yadav said.

In view of the existing threat, the New Delhi DCP said that specially trained commandos of the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces would be deployed to counter any threat. “Apart from the police commandos, assault teams of SWAT, Special Cell and Hit teams of NSG would also be deployed,” Yadav said.

As the usage of drone while carrying out terror attacks have risen in the recent past, the DCP said any flying object that breaches the security cordons in and around the area of Rajpath will be taken care of.

Meanwhile, around 1,000 drones, 75 military aircraft and tableaux of 12 states and Union Territories and nine ministries will be part of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath in the national capital.

Interestingly, the government has introduced two important changes — Republic Day celebration week will be held from January 23 to January 30 and the main function will begin 30 minutes later on January 26. It will begin at 10.30 a.m. in place of 10 a.m. to let visibility improve by the time flypast takes place.

The celebrations will begin from January 23 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It will end on January 30 to commemorate Martyrs Day.

Further, a number of visitors at the Republic Day parade has been curtailed significantly. Last year when the first Covid-19 wave was ebbing down around 25,000 visitors were allowed. This year, the number has been significantly curtailed between 5,000 and 8,000 and still is being worked out as Covid-19 cases have increased significantly.

New-look Rajpath to host R-Day celebrations

Spectators arriving at the Rajpath here to witness the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 (Wednesday) are all set to find the boulevard in a “new-look” as the work on the government’s ambitious Central Vista Project is underway at a rapid pace.

The work on the re-development of Rajpath was going on under the Central Vista Project due to which this year, the ceremonial boulevard will look more beautiful than before.

New footpaths on the Rajpath have replaced the red sand path following which 94,600 meters of walkable roads have been created.

Also, 422 new stone benches have been installed, and 16 bridges would be built on the canals. Currently, some temporary bridges have been installed, ahead of the Republic Day.

People coming to watch the Republic Day parade would also see new sign boards. A total of 114 modern sign boards have been installed on the Rajpath.

At the same time, 133 new light pillars will also be seen, due to which Rajpath is set to look more beautiful than before.

Over 900 lamp posts have been erected along the Rajpath between Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate.

On the occasion of Republic Day, the visitors would also see photographs of some of the lesser known freedom fighters along the Rajpath, which have been prepared by over 500 artists. These pictures have been prepared in 10 scrolls of 75 metres.

Earlier, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, while talking to the media, said: “Despite the Covid pandemic, almost all the work of this project has been completed. During the construction work, 25 trees were removed, 22 trees have been shifted to another place and three have been planted here.”

“There will also be a terraced garden for the tourists where people can come and sit. The greenery has been increased more… a total of 4,087 trees will be included,” the Minister added.

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Africa News India News News

12 African nationals with expired visas apprehended in Delhi

The crackdown against African nationals residing illegally in the national capital continued with the Delhi Police apprehending 12 more foreigners with expired visas in the past three days…reports Asian Lite News

According to the official, a police team of the Dwarka district apprehended the African nationals during four separate operations. They have been identified as Peace Ugbedeojo Kadiri, Caroline Oganna Eyioko, Mercy Silver Kamah, Onyeka Chika Amurie, Emmanuel Okeke, Stephen Mansiki Nnorom, Samuel Chigozie Okechukwu, Chinonye Franklin Chidiob, Uchechukwu Edwin Okeke, Paul Emera Ekeleme, Johnson Nnoruka and Emmanuel Nwokemodo.

“After verification of their credentials, it was found that they were overstaying in India without a valid visa,” the official said. They were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) along with their original passports. The FRRO has ordered their deportation.

The Dwarka district police had recently launched ‘Operation Varchasva’ to make Dwarka area crime-free. Since the launch of the operation, several gangsters, snatchers, and robbers have been arrested within a small period of time.

The police are also keeping a tab on foreign nationals living here illegally. Pertinently, some African nationals living in and around the national capital are involved in the illicit drug trade and are being regularly caught by the police.

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A Delhi Police official said that the number of African nationals looking for money-earning opportunities is increasing in the national capital. The Uttam Nagar Police Station area has a mixed population of approximately 3.75 lakh. A lot of African nationals, looking are residing here with fake or expired visas, he added.

“There are also cases under the NDPS Act registered against them for supplying drugs to locals and people from other areas. Additionally, a few cases of cyber fraud have also surfaced in which these Africans are allegedly involved,” the official said.

The 12 African nationals have been sent to the detention centre at Lampur Border.

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-Top News COVID-19

Weekend curfew to kick-in in Delhi from tonight

Electronic and print media on production of valid ID card.– Students appearing in examinations on production of valid admit card.– Food delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato– Those attending weddings on production of soft or hard copy of wedding card…reports Asian Lite News

As the weekend curfew in Delhi will kick in tonight from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday to curb further spread of Covid-19, let us have a look at what will remain shut and what will function as usual, to prepare well: People can step out only in cases of an emergency as shops, malls and markets will be closed and only shops selling essential goods will be allowed to open.

While a majority of businesses and shops will remain closed, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has also said that several people will be exempted like:– Healthcare workers — Government officials involved in essential and emergency services, such as those working in the health department, police, fire department, public transport etc– Judges and all Judicial officers I officials /staff members of all courts in Delhi as well as Advocates/Legal Counsels, connected with the case hearing on production of valid I card / Service ID Card / Photo Entry Passes / Permission Letters Issued by the court administration.

Staff in offices of diplomats of various countries as well as persons holding any Constitutional post on production of valid I card– Persons going out for Covid-19 testing or vaccination, on production of valid ID card.

Besides, pregnant women and patients in need of medical services, along with an attendant, if they produce a doctor’s prescription, people coming from/going to airports/railway stations/lSBTs allowed to travel on production of valid ticket.

Electronic and print media on production of valid ID card.– Students appearing in examinations on production of valid admit card.– Food delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato– Those attending weddings on production of soft or hard copy of wedding card. It should be noted that there is a cap of 20 people only at a marriage function. As per the DDMA order, during the weekdays, DTC buses and Delhi Metro will be allowed to function at their full seating capacity and there will be no restrictions on the movement of goods during the nighttime.

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COVID-19 India News

Delhi gears up to handle 1 lakh daily cases amid Omicron scare

The government will also increase the daily Covid testing capacity from around 60,000 to 70,000 at present, to 3 lakh per day, while strengthening the home isolation module to handle 1 lakh positive cases daily…reports Asian Lite News.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the national capital is gearing up to handle up to 1 lakh Covid cases daily if the situation arises.

“The government’s current capacity is to handle 1,000 cases daily but we are extending the capacity to 1 lakh everyday in view of the growing Omicron scare,” Kejriwal said at a virtual press conference here.

The government will also increase the daily Covid testing capacity from around 60,000 to 70,000 at present, to 3 lakh per day, while strengthening the home isolation module to handle 1 lakh positive cases daily.

“As soon as someone tests positive, a phone call will be made to the person and the next day, a medical team will visit the person to provide him a kit containing medicines and other items. The patients in home isolation will be counselled by the doctors for 10 days,” the Chief Minister said.

Kejriwal said the new Omicron variant is characterised by a fast spread and mild infection. “Since Omicron infection does not require hospitalisation in most cases, the home-isolation module is being strengthened in the city,” he said, adding: “If there are symptoms, we will try to treat patients at home in their comfort. We are developing a strong home-isolation model.”

Talking about the oxygen crisis during the last Covid surge, he said that all arrangements have been made for oxygen, and the stock of medicine is being prepared for two months.

However, he also underlined that there will not be surge of cases in the national capital as the sero-survey report shows over 95 per cent prevalence of antibodies — which means people have already been infected with Covid, and they have developed antibodies.

The Chief Minister said that 99 per cent of the people have got the first dose of Covid vaccine in the city.

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-Top News Asia News

Central Asian Foreign Ministers in Delhi to discuss Afghanistan

Significantly, Foreign Ministers of the five Central Asian countries who are also members of the OIC grouping will skip the meeting in Islamabad to attend the dialogue in New Delhi, reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host the 3rd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi on Sunday. Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will participate. Their previous meeting was organised by India in October 2020 via video-conference. Three of these five, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, share a border with Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Islamabad will host the 17th extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi saying he hoped they will “reach a consensus on measures to improve the situation in Afghanistan”.

Significantly, Foreign Ministers of the five Central Asian countries are also members of the OIC grouping and they will skip the meeting in Islamabad to attend the dialogue in New Delhi.

Sunday’s conference here will also set the stage for the presence of the leaders of these five Central Asian nations at the Republic Day celebrations next month, Covid situation permitting: Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev; Tajikistan’s Emomali Rahmon; Turkmenistan’s Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow; and Kyrgyzstan’s Sadyr Japarov.

Since 2012, there has been an active engagement between India and these five Central Asian countries. India considers them as part of India’s “extended neighbourhood”.  Jaishankar visited Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan this year and met with Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan in October 2021.

At Sunday’s meeting, the ministers are expected to discuss further strengthening of relations with India focusing on trade, connectivity and development cooperation. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the MEA said in a statement.  The five Foreign Ministers are expected to pay a joint courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jaishankar, who met Tajikistan’s Sirojiddin Muhriddin on Saturday, said, “As neighbours of Afghanistan, we have been very concerned at the developments there. And the participation of the Secretary of (Tajikistan’s) Security Council in the Regional Security Dialogue, which we hosted in November, is something which is deeply appreciated.” He publicly thanked him for Tajikistan’s support to India during the evacuation of Indians — and some members of minority communities — from Afghanistan in August and September.

Sunday’s meeting also follows the November 10 regional security dialogue on Afghanistan for which the NSAs of these five countries were in Delhi along with those from Russia and Iran. At that meeting, hosted by NSA Ajit Doval, all expressed concern at the current situation in Afghanistan.

Incidentally, the same day, Islamabad had hosted special envoys from US, China and Russia to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. This time, too, Pakistan’s Afghan diplomacy is in parallel. Besides OIC members and observers, the Pakistan Foreign Office said, the UN system, international financial institutions, international and regional organisations and non-OIC members, including P-5 countries, European Union and countries like Japan, and Germany have also been invited. Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for the meeting as well.

Sources said that Delhi’s outreach is to the five Central Asian countries who have deep stakes in the stability of Afghanistan while Pakistan is trying to rally the support of Islamic countries in favour of Afghanistan.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha, who arrived in Pakistan on Friday, said it was high time to think how Muslim countries could help their Afghan brethren at this critical juncture.

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Environment India News

Delhi homes record poor indoor air quality

“In Delhi, the bottom line is — whether someone is rich or poor, no one gets to breathe clean air,” says Kenneth Lee, the lead author of the study. ..reports Asian Lite News.

Delhi’s citizens long for clean air but do they call for it? A new two-year research at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC India) has indicated that demand for air pollution information and defensive technologies may be low among India’s national capital residents.

Researchers observed that even when offered a free trial of indoor air quality monitor to track pollution levels inside their homes, the take-up rates were low.

The study found indoor PM2.5 levels for low-income and high-income households in Delhi were very high during the wintertime, with mean concentrations of 23 and 29 times the WHO safe limit of 10 Ig/m, respectively.

Findings suggested that high-income households were 13 times more likely to own air purifiers than low-income households. Still, the indoor air pollution levels in those homes were only 10 per cent lower than those living in disadvantaged settings.

“In Delhi, the bottom line is — whether someone is rich or poor, no one gets to breathe clean air,” says Kenneth Lee, the lead author of the study.

“It’s a complex vicious cycle. When you do not know about the pollution levels inside your homes, you do not worry about it, and hence you are less likely to take corrective actions. Only with increased awareness, demand for clean air may gain momentum.”

The experiment found that in homes with access to real-time indoor air pollution data, about an 8.6 per cent decline in indoor PM2.5 concentrations was recorded, and modest changes in inexpensive defensive practices and ventilation behaviours were observed.

The researchers point out that the study that surveyed thousands of Delhi households between 2018 and 2020 across varying socioeconomic strata, on average, found the indoor PM2.5 levels to be substantially higher than the corresponding value reported by the nearest government monitor.

Also, the study noted that indoor PM2.5 levels tend to spike in the mornings and evenings when households were most likely to be cooking.

Lee adds: “It’s critical to address the information gaps related to indoor air pollution urgently. High-frequency accurate PM2.5 information communicated through either government monitor or by indoor air quality monitors is the first step but only when it is complemented with an increase in literacy around health consequences of air pollution and the benefits of adopting various defensive actions — can we expect more favourable outcomes.”

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Africa News India News

Delhi Police apprehends 12 Africans with expired visa

Amid an ongoing crackdown against foreign nationals residing in the national capital illegally, the Delhi Police have apprehended 12 Africans with expired visas…reports Asian Lite News

According to the official, a police team of the Dwarka district apprehended the 12 Africans in two separate operations.

The culprits have been identified as Fidelis Nnadozie Imafidon, Cletus Iweriebor, Saturday Okhale Oligbi, Orakwube Paul Nwachukwu, Kingsley Uche Osuji, Augustine Ogochukwu Okafor, Oumar Diaby, Ogbonna Remigius Nwabuisi, Jude Okeke, Maxwell Obagha, Karim Syylla and Gift Ameze Omoruyi.

Delhi Police apprehends 12 Africans with expired visa

“After verification of their credentials, it was found they were overstaying in India without a valid visa,” the official said.

They were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO) along with their original passports after which the FRRO ordered their deportation on Monday.

Recently, the Dwarka district police launched ‘Operation Varchasva’ in their mission to make the area crime-free.

Since the launch, several gangsters, snatchers and robbers have been arrested in a small period of time. The police are also keeping a tab on illegally staying foreigners in the area.

Pertinently, some African nationals living in and around the national capital are involved in the illicit drug trade and are being regularly caught by the police.

According to a Delhi Police official, the growing number of African nationals are looking for money-earning opportunities in the national capital. Uttam Nagar police station has a mixed population of approx 3.75 lakh.

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A lot of African nationals are residing in the area and some of them are living here with fake/expired visas.

“There are also cases of the NDPS Act registered against them for supplying drugs to locals and people from other areas. In addition, a few cyber fraud cases have also surfaced in which African nationals are involved,” the official added.

Meanwhile, all the 12 foreigners have been sent to the detention centre at Lumpur.