A campaign has been launched to strengthen security measures in Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar Police has taken strict legal action against several hotels, a homestay and a houseboat for violating Form-C reporting conditions required under the Immigration and Foreigners Act. During the inspection, violations were found.
According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, during regular inspection and checking of hotels, homestays and houseboats, violations of the Immigration and Foreigners Act were found. Three hotels in Srinagar’s Rajbagh area – Hotel Blossom, Hotel Grand MS and Hotel Golden Forest – were found allowing foreign nationals to check in without submitting Form-C details at the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO).
Rajbagh area
In Rajbagh area, Hotel Blossom, Hotel Grand MS and Hotel Golden Forest allowed foreign nationals to stay without submitting Form-C details at the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). An FIR was registered at Rajbagh police station under sections 8 and 23-B of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
khanyar
In Khanyar, Khayyam’s Hotel Khyber was found to be in violation of Form-C submission requirements. Police said that despite repeated instructions, the management failed to provide any proof of required reporting, due to which an FIR was registered at Khanyar police station.
red market
IMY Home Stay at Naubagh Bagwanpura in Lal Bazaar was found running without Form-C for Israeli foreign nationals and other guests. Police said the management deliberately concealed information about the stay of the foreign guest and did not submit the required online Form-C. An FIR has been registered at Lal Bazaar police station under sections 8 and 23-B of the Act.
Nishat Area
In one such case, Mohammed Ashraf Zargar, a landlord in Nishat area, was found not following the required Form-C reporting rules, leading to which an FIR was lodged at Nishat police station under relevant sections of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
Ram Munshi Bagh Area
In the Ram Munshi Bagh area, several houseboats, including Floating Castle, Best View Houseboat, Crystal Palace and Lake Palace, were found violating mandatory reporting norms by hosting foreign nationals from Taiwan, Russia, Romania and Spain. An FIR has been registered at Ram Munshi Bagh police station under sections 7, 14 and 16 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
Form C must be followed
The police have started investigating all these cases seriously and are conducting further investigation to gather information about all the foreign nationals and unearth any suspicious links. Srinagar Police has reiterated that all hotels, guest houses, houseboats and homestay operators accommodating foreign nationals are required to strictly follow the Form C reporting rules. Police said any violation will be considered a serious offense and strict action will be taken under the law.