German deported for dabbling in semi-political activities: Chidambaram

Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday justified deportation of a German national for raising funds for protests against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, saying he had taken part in “semi-political activities” despite being on a tourist visa.

Talking to mediapersons here, Chidambaram said that a look out notice had been issued for the German national Sonnteg Reiner Hermann, 49, after he had left India but he managed to re-enter the country on a tourist visa.

Chidambaram said Hermann was “identified, found staying in that area and therefor asked to leave the country”.

The minister said a person on a tourist visa cannot associate with “sem-political” activities.

Asked if Hermann’s entering the country despite a look out notice implied a breach of security, Chidambaram said there had been no breach and the German national was not a terrorist.

He said Hermann came as a tourist but aassociated with protest movements.

Hermann was deported from India Tuesday on grounds of raising funds for protests against the Kudankulam project.