ONL Bureau: 53 year-old Pakistan-born Sharada Kukreja, who has been living in Odisha's Bolangir district for 35 years after marrying an Indian citizen, on Saturday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi not to separate her from her family as she has been issued a notice by police to leave the country.

Sharada, who was born in Sukkur city of Pakistan's Sindh province fled to India to escape forced conversion and marriage to a Muslim youth there. She has been staying in Odisha's Bolangir district for 35 years after marrying Mahesh Kumar Kukreja. She has two children - a son and a daughter. Both her children are married. When contacted, Bolangir Superintendent of Police, Abilash G told PTI that the administration has served a notice to Sharada to leave the country "at the earliest".

He said the notice was served to the woman alone and not to her husband or children. Asked about Sharada Kukreja's claim that she has an Aadhaar card and participated in elections, the SP said: "We have served the notice as per the record. "We have served the notice as per the record. We have to verify the claims she is now making."

Sharada said she along with her four sisters and five brothers fled from Pakistan fearing conversion and settled in Bolangir 35 years ago. All her siblings are also married and living in different parts of India.

(Syndicated News Feed)