Balangir admn awaits govt decision on Pak Hindu woman

Bhubaneswar: The Balangir district administration has adopted a cautious approach regarding the possible deportation of Sharda Bai, a Pakistani Hindu woman who has been staying in India for the past 37 years. Following the recent ‘quit-India' notice, district police are awaiting direction from the state home department while keeping a watch on the family.
As the wait continues, Sharda has resorted to worship and chanting mantras, seeking divine help to ensure she can continue living in India.
"The district intelligence has identified her and police are keeping a watch. No decision has been taken yet on how to proceed in the case of Sharda. The govt's call will be final. We are waiting for that," said a senior district-level officer.
Sharda, along with her parents and nine siblings (four sisters and five brothers), relocated to Koraput in 1987 and started living with a relative who had a business. The family had come on a 60-day visa.
Sharda said she received marriage proposals and tied the knot with Mukesh Kukreja in 1990. Two years later, his family shifted to Balangir and has been living there since.
"Her visa expired long ago. There is no Indian citizenship or long-term visa. It is a case for deportation. But, there is time till April 29," a police officer said.