Police raids students in Famagusta, several to be deported (photos and Video)

International students and foreign workers were thrown into panic mode following police crack down on people especially students with several arrested and some facing the possibility of being deported.

The Famagusta Police Department teams and Police Special Operations Directorate teams at the weekend carried out what it described as public security operations in Famagusta to rid the society of those constituting nuisance.

The operation was carried out in the whole of Famagusta between 9:00 pm on Friday and 1:00am on Saturday.

4 casino, 6 nightclubs, 8 bet offices, 27 bars, 11 coffee shops, 2 workers' yacht houses, and several other places were raided within the scope of the operation.

Those affected in the operation are foreign students who were by chance caught up in the raid.

Several persons tried to escape but were apprehended by the team.

About 22 people with unauthorized resident were arrested in the operation report Turkish Cypriot daily, Haber.

Countries affected are Nigeria, Turkey, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh and India.

17 persons were banned from entering a casino and legal proceedings initiated against them.

8 Nigerians, 3 Turkish, 1 Senegalese, 2 Zimbabwean, 2 Pakistani, 2 Vietnam, 1 Kazantzakis, 1 Bangladeshi and 1 Indian nationals were among the 22 suspects taken to court on Sunday.

Since the incident, there has been a series of reaction as many fear the raid will be taken to other parts of the country especially Lefkosa in no time.

Meanwhile, VOIS, Voice of International Students in Cyprus criticized the operation on it's Facebook page, condemning the manner in which it was carried out.