Kochi Foreign Office questions Norwegian tourist over participation in anti-CAA protest

December 27, 2019 08:18

A Norwegian tourist, who took part in anti-citizenship law protests in Kochi in Kerala, was summoned by authorities on Thursday seeking an explanation over her presence at the demonstrations.

The development comes close on the heels of the Chennai immigration department's move asking a German exchange student to leave India after he took part in an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act agitation.

Janne Mette-Johannson, who is on a visit to India, is likely to face similar action after the Foreigners Regional Registration Office called her for an inquiry. The FRRO, which comes under the Union Home Ministry, is an office exclusively for the services of foreign tourists in the country.

The development was confirmed by Anoop Krishnan, the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, who said Mette-Johannson was called for a brief meeting to the office in Nedumbassery.

"We are investigating whether the foreigner has violated Visa norms or not. We can't say a concrete action is taken into it. An inquiry is on," Foreigners Regional Registration Officer Anoop Krishnan was quoted as saying. He said the agency came to know about the participation of the foreign national in the protest from the social media platform.

Mette-Johannson, who took part in the protests on Monday, posted her picture on Facebook with a message saying, It started out from Gandhi Circle, Ernakulam, and we marched with slogans and flags to Vasco Da Gama Square Cochin while the protesters were singing and chanting and with their fists up. The Peoples Long March was very well organised. During these 12 km, there were two places we got water with salt and sugar, we also had orange juice. No riots, just people determined, lifting up their voices, saying what has to be said. The police were helpful during this protest march (sic)."

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