NEW DELHI: A Pakistani Muslim woman and her Hindu admirer in India, reportedly married after she converted to Hinduism, have gone into hiding after police claimed they faced threats from religious zealots, reports said on Monday.

They said Pakistani national Seema Haider and her Indian husband Sachin Meena have gone missing from their Greater Noida home bordering Delhi. Seema, who met Sachin while playing the online game PUBG, illegally entered India via Nepal.

The UP police had arrested Seema for entering India illegally without a visa through Nepal. But later, she was released on bail. Seema converted to Hinduism and married Sachin, and started staying at his Greater Noida house.

However, now reports say both have gone missing. The Uttar Pradesh anti-terror squad has reportedly started a probe to find out Seema’s Pakistani links and the route she took to enter India.

Police warn miscreants may carry out fatal attack on Seema

Last week, India Today reported that a senior Uttar Pradesh police officer expressed concerns about potential attacks on Seema after she spoke about converting from Islam to Hinduism to be with Sachin.

The police official warned that some miscreant, garbed as a member of the crowd or as media personnel, may carry out a fatal attack on Seema.

The official also said that though there had been no formal request from Seema or Sachin, seeking security measures, the police were maintaining constant surveillance on their house.

Police officers, both in uniform and plain clothes, were discreetly deployed around the house in Rabupura. Sources told India Today that the central government may not repatriate Seema to Pakistan at this time. The final decision on her future lies with the Ministry of External Affairs and the central government.

Talking about Seema’s illegal entry into India, sources within the police suggested the possibility of granting a long-term visa with certain conditions, considering her marriage to an Indian. If Sachin appeals to the government for permission for his wife to stay in India, she may be granted a long-term visa due to her status, sources told IT.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...