Chinese Soldier Living In MP's Balaghat Since 1963 Faces Deportation

News18

13-05-2025

Last Updated:
Treated as a spy instead of a prisoner of war, he spent eight years in an Indian prison. After release, he chose to stay in Tirodi village, Balaghat, adopting the name Raj Bahadur
An 85-year-old Chinese soldier, Wang Chi, who has resided in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh for the past 50 years, now faces the threat of deportation. His visa has expired, and he may be ordered to leave India at any moment.
Wang Chi recently received a message from the Indian government to renew his visa, and his son, Vishnu, has stated that his father has been asked to report to the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO).
The family explained that due to historical tensions between India and Pakistan, Wang Chi did not apply for a long-term visa from the Chinese Embassy. Vishnu fears his father might be forced to leave India, where he has spent a considerable part of his life. They are hoping for a long-term visa to avoid deportation, allowing Wang Chi to spend his final years in India with his family or in China, where he hails from.
Vishnu expressed concerns about the financial burden of renewing his father's visa every four years, which costs Rs 15,000 each time. The family's financial condition is precarious, and they are seeking a long-term visa of five to ten years, but no action has been taken yet. For the first time, they have been asked to report to the FRO. Additionally, local officials in Balaghat have refused to issue caste certificates to Wang Chi's grandchildren due to his foreign nationality, hindering their access to government schemes.
How Wang Chi Became Raj Bahadur
Treated as a spy rather than a prisoner of war, he spent eight years imprisoned in India. Upon his release, he chose to stay in India, settling in Tirodi village, Balaghat, where he adopted the name Raj Bahadur, married a local tribal woman, and started a family.
First Published:
May 13, 2025, 18:25 IST