Fiona's visa should not be extended: Naik

Panaji, Mar 17 (UNI) Sharply reacting to the ''irresponsible outbursts'' of rape and murder victim Scarlett Keeling's mother Fiona, Goa Home Minister Ravi S Naik said he would write to the Centre not to extend Fiona's visa and also demand a probe into her antecedents.

Interacting with media persons here today, Mr Naik said he would contact the Union External Affairs Ministry and the Union Home Ministry immediately in this regard as Fiona's visa term ends in a month.

Meanwhile, Mr Naik said he would make a special request to the Union Home Ministry to direct the Central Industrial Security Force to intensify vigil at international airports to check smuggling of drugs from Europe and South America, particularly through chartered flights.

Scores of flights arrive in Goa every week carrying foreigners for holidaying. The foreign tourists every year outnumber the 14 lakh population of this tourist destination, he pointed out.

''I do not understand why such questionable characters with criminal background and lack of proper income source are given visas? At the same time, they make wild allegations without following the Indian laws,'' he said.

Fiona had alleged that the Home Minister and the State Director General of Police were in league with the international drug cartels and had, in a letter to the Prime Minister, sought a CBI probe into the matter.

Mr Naik said the question of allowing any foreigner to stay beyond the stipulated time in the visa does not arise. As many as 104 foreigners, who overstayed in Goa, had been deported since he resumed charge as the Home Minister on June 8 last, Mr Naik added.

Mr Naik wondered how Fiona failed to take care of her minor daughter, leaving her to her own fate, only to die later. The government will examine whether Fiona's negligence attracted provisions under the Goa Chidren's Act, he said.

Mr Naik said he had brought a halt to the conduct of ''rave parties'' on beaches. The police has been asked to intensify vigil along the coast to check the drug menace, he said.

UNI BM MAZ PD RS2004