Taslima's Visa extended for another six months

New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) The Government has extended by another six months the visa of controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, it was reliably learnt.

Ms Nasreen -- who was attacked by activists of the Majlis-e- Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) in Hyderabad earlier this month -- had applied for a Permanent Resident Permit -- but the Indian Government preferred to extend her visa for six months from today till February 17 next year, said an official source here.

The Bangladeshi author has been living in exile for 12 years and currently holds a European Union passport issued by the Swedish government -- as her Bangladeshi passport stands invalid.

Ms Nasreen had to move to Sweden after she invoked the ire of fundamentalists in Bangladesh with her book 'Lajja (Shame)' in 1993.

She has been living in India since 2002 after fleeing Bangladesh due to threats from radical groups.

Though she was ''shocked'' by the attack on her by the Muslim group, Ms Nasreen has said she has no intention of leaving India -- which she has described as her ''second home'' and ''a good place to live in''.

MIM activists had hurled abuse and shouted slogans and disrupted a book release function attended by Ms Nasreen in Hydearabad on August 9 last. They had attempted to assault her by throwing papers, books, bags and bouquets but she escaped unscathed.

Subsequently, the West Bengal government has decided to review Ms Nasreen's security as the author currently lives in Kolkata.

UNI