Dharamsala, December 12 :

Tibetan immigrants, who have often been using India as a springboard to settle down in Western countries, will not be able to do so, as the Indian government has decided to stop issuing exit permits to them after December 31.

A large number of Tibetans have been entering India through Nepal on the basis of special entry permits (SEPs) and then seeking exit permits from the Indian government to move to western countries for better prospects.

The Indian government has now told the Tibetan government-in-exile — the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) — that exit permits will no longer be issued after the year end, sources at the CTA confirmed here.

The CTA has on its part issued a circular to its offices and Tibetans across India through its official website, informing them of the new rule.