Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 9:

The Home Ministry has cancelled the fake citizenship of 19 persons, an official at the ministry said.

Acquisition of fake citizenship certificates by propounding false kinship with Nepali citizens is rampant in the Terai and its bordering districts, under secretary at the Home Ministry Ganesh Rai said. “There are myriad instances of Indian nationals, especially from the neighbouring Indian states of Bihar, UP, West Bengal and even Assam acquiring Nepali citizenship certificates either through their relatives in Nepal or by spending hefty amounts of money,” he said, justifying the cancellation of such citizenship certificates.

According to Rai, those acquiring fake citizenship and those aiding and abetting in the process face a jail-term and also will be charged a fine, following police investigation.

Meanwhile, the government is all set to switch to computerisation of the process of issuing citizenship certificates in seven selected districts by next month in a bid to “ensure quick and hassle-free” service.