India stands up for Devyani’s rights, gives it back to America
19 Dec 2013 5:10 AM IST
A number of cranes, deployed by Delhi Police, removed the concrete barricades outside the Embassy at the diplomatic enclave in Chanakyapuri locality of central Delhi. The police also opened the Nyaya Marg for general traffic. ‘The ministry of external affairs requested us to remove these traffic measures around the US embassy and clear the road. The Nyaya Marg has been opened for public,’ Special commissioner of Delhi Police (security) Taj Hassan said.
Additional commissioner of police (traffic) Anil Shukla supervised the operation. The barricades around the embassy were put in place as part of enhanced security. Hassan, however, said the security to the embassy will ‘remain same’.
The government earlier announced a series of steps to strip US diplomats and their families of privileges including withdrawing all airport passes, and stopping import clearances for the Embassy. The government has also stopped all import clearances for the US embassy including for liquor.
It has also sought key information such as salaries paid to all Indian staff employed at the consulates and by consulate officers and families including as domestic helps. ‘The government has asked for all US consulate personnel’s ID cards and that of their families immediately.
These will now be downgraded on par with what the US provides to our consulates in US,’ said sources. The government has asked the US to provide it with visa information and other details of all teachers at US schools and pay and bank accounts of Indians in these schools. Apart from these measures, government has stopped all import clearances for the US embassy including for liquor.
India has reacted sharply to the arrest of Khobragade who was handcuffed in public in New York on visa fraud charges last week.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday said that the same sex companions of American diplomats should be arrested, in reference to the Supreme Court verdict that restored a ban on gay sex last week. ‘My suggestion to the Government of India is the media has reported that we have issued visas to a number of US diplomats’ companions.
‘Companions’ means that they are of the same sex. Now, after the Supreme Court ruling, it is completely illegal in our country. Just as paying less wages was illegal in the US. So, why doesn’t the government of India go ahead and arrest all of them? Put them behind bars, prosecute them in this country and punish them,’ said Sinha. Sources said that Sinha may have been referring to an American diplomat and his partner, who faced visa difficulties last month.
Additional commissioner of police (traffic) Anil Shukla supervised the operation. The barricades around the embassy were put in place as part of enhanced security. Hassan, however, said the security to the embassy will ‘remain same’.
The government earlier announced a series of steps to strip US diplomats and their families of privileges including withdrawing all airport passes, and stopping import clearances for the Embassy. The government has also stopped all import clearances for the US embassy including for liquor.
It has also sought key information such as salaries paid to all Indian staff employed at the consulates and by consulate officers and families including as domestic helps. ‘The government has asked for all US consulate personnel’s ID cards and that of their families immediately.
These will now be downgraded on par with what the US provides to our consulates in US,’ said sources. The government has asked the US to provide it with visa information and other details of all teachers at US schools and pay and bank accounts of Indians in these schools. Apart from these measures, government has stopped all import clearances for the US embassy including for liquor.
India has reacted sharply to the arrest of Khobragade who was handcuffed in public in New York on visa fraud charges last week.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday said that the same sex companions of American diplomats should be arrested, in reference to the Supreme Court verdict that restored a ban on gay sex last week. ‘My suggestion to the Government of India is the media has reported that we have issued visas to a number of US diplomats’ companions.
‘Companions’ means that they are of the same sex. Now, after the Supreme Court ruling, it is completely illegal in our country. Just as paying less wages was illegal in the US. So, why doesn’t the government of India go ahead and arrest all of them? Put them behind bars, prosecute them in this country and punish them,’ said Sinha. Sources said that Sinha may have been referring to an American diplomat and his partner, who faced visa difficulties last month.
Next Story
