Iran halts visa-free entry for Indian travellers after rise in trafficking cases
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Tehran: Iran has withdrawn visa-free entry for Indian citizens holding ordinary passports, ending the waiver that had been in place since February this year. The suspension, effective November 22, follows a series of cases in which Indian nationals were reportedly trafficked or kidnapped after being lured to Iran with false promises of employment or transit to other countries.
The visa waiver was introduced as part of Iran’s tourism push for visitors from more than 30 countries, including India, and allowed Indians to stay for up to 15 days once every six months, as reported by Hindustan Times. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the scheme was repeatedly misused by criminal networks working with fraudulent agents, who convinced Indians to travel visa-free for jobs that did not exist.
According to the ministry, several of those who entered Iran under the waiver were abducted on arrival and held for ransom. The government had earlier cautioned travellers that visa-free access was strictly for tourism and did not permit employment of any kind.
With the suspension now in place, Indian nationals will be required to obtain a visa for entry or transit. The MEA said the move aims to curb further exploitation of travellers and urged citizens to avoid agents offering job placements or visa-free routes through Iran.
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Mangaluru: Teacher booked for allegedly beating student in school
Vittla (Dakshina Kannada): A case has been registered at the Vittla Police Station against a school teacher on charges of seriously assaulting a student with a cane at an English-medium school in Idkidu village here near Vittla in Dakshina Kannada district.
According to the complaint, the student, who attends the school regularly, had gone to school as usual. Around 2 pm, the child’s parents received a call from the school office stating that their child had allegedly disturbed other students. The school informed them that when the teacher scolded the student over the issue, the child became frightened and urinated, and the parents were asked to come and take the child home.
The parents reportedly told the school staff that no one was at home at the time and requested that the child be sent home in an autorickshaw.
After returning home, the student told the parents that a teacher identified as Istikaar had beaten him severely on the hand with a cane. The child also said that he urinated out of fear while the assault was taking place.
When the parents contacted the teacher over the phone to question him about the incident, he allegedly responded in a dismissive manner.
Following this, the parents lodged complaints with the Vittla Police Station and the Child Development Project Office, seeking justice and strict action against the teacher for allegedly assaulting the child without any valid reason.
Police have registered a case against the teacher and have taken up further investigation.
