US defends use of ankle monitors on students
The US embassy in New Delhi has defended the use of ankle monitors on Indian students who were duped by the California-based Tri-Valley University in the US.
In a statement it said: “Use of ankle monitors is widespread across the United States and standard procedure for a variety of investigations, and does not necessarily imply guilt or suspicion of criminal activity.”
It explained that an ankle monitor sends a radio frequency signal containing location and other information to a receiver and it allows for freedom of movement and “is a positive alternative to confinement during a pending investigation”.
The US embassy statement came the day after the Indian government said that the use of ankle monitors is “inhuman and unacceptable”, and they should be removed from the person of all the Indian students.
Speaking to journalists in Bengaluru, external affairs minister S.M. Krishna said on Sunday that the US government should take action against its officials responsible for putting the Indian students through hardship.
“There are one lakh Indian students in the US. It must realise the tremendous stakes involved for both the countries in higher education and interaction,” Mr Krishna had added when asked for his reaction to the matter. The US embassy statement went on to state that a legitimate student who is a fraud victim should have little trouble re-applying and enrolling in a different, fully-accredited educational institution.
It further said that the department of state is following this case closely and is in regular communication with Indian officials.
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HRD officials quizzed
AGE CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI
Jan. 31: With several hundred Indian students getting embroiled in the Tri Valley University fraud in the US, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on human resource development on Monday quizzed HRD ministry officials on measures to ensure that foreign varsities entering India do not dupe students.
The panel, chaired by Oscar Fernandes, also began examination of the Foreign Educational Institutions (Regulation of Entry and Operations) Bill. The important legislation was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the Budget Session.
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