Four Indian nationals, aged 18 to 27, were found by French police hidden at the back of a truck that was unloading cargo in Mondeville, a town near Caen, close to the English Channel. The four were trying to sneak into Britain. They said they had paid 900,000 rupees to travel by plane from India to Italy and by truck to Belgium and an additional 400 euros to be taken to the truck stop in France by car. The irregular migrants were detained pending their deportation from France.
Indian authorities recently foiled an attempt by a human trafficking syndicate to smuggle 11 young Andhra women to the Gulf area through the Ahmedabad airport. They arrested the women after they were found to have fake emigration stamps and six South Indian agents from Chennai and Hyderabad who had come to see the women off. According to the police, they became suspicious of the agents for using the Ahmedabad airport when there are direct and cheaper air services to the Gulf countries from Hyderabad. Apparently the agents have started sending Gulf-bound female jobseekers through Ahmedabad last 5 July after authorities intensified their operations in the twin metros.
There are believed to be more than 4,550 Indians who are currently detained in various prisons and detention centers across 84 countries worldwide. The most common reason for detention is overstaying but there are others who have been convicted for serious crimes. Riyadh in Saudi Arabia has the largest number of Indian prisoners at 1,444, followed by Abu Dhabi and Dubai with 1,073, Dhaka with 871, Islamabad with 576, including 371 fishermen, Kuala Lumpur with 460 and New York with 158 Indian detainees.
Kerala overseas workers aired their needs and grievances at the two-day Samavayam, the Global Non-Resident Keralitess (NRK) Meet, held in Thiruvananthapuram from 5-6 August. Among the issues raised at the meet were the expatriates’ request for budget airline services for low-paid workers, prevention of illegal recruitment through implementation of strict laws, setting up of welfare schemes for migrant worker returnees and stopping the harassment of NRKs by local customs personnel at Kerala airports. Also discussed were voting rights, employment security, safety of expatriate families and contract employment in the Gulf countries. NRK communities in the Gulf, Europe, the US and Singapore were represented in the meet.
Following the fourth India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission meeting held in New Delhi on 1 August, External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh signed an agreement with South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-Moon granting visa exemptions to diplomatic and official passport holders. India and South Korea also agreed to simplify visa procedures to make it easier for their citizens to travel to each other’s territories. Pacts regarding the defense industry and logistics cooperation and on customs cooperation are set to be signed soon. Both countries likewise reaffirmed plans to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2008.
Sources: Nilova Roy Chaudhury, “Many Indians languishing in jails abroad," Hindustan Times, 1 August 2005; “Bid to smuggle poor girls into Gulf foiled," Khaleej Times, Indo-Asian News Service, “India, South Korea to ease visa rules," Khaleej Times, 2 August 2005; “Expats air grievances at global NRK meet," Gulf Times, 6 August 2005; Press Trust of India, “Visa-on-arrival for PIOs likely," The Economic Times, 8 August 2005; AFP, “NRI doctor stoned by mob in Britain," Hindustan Times, 9 August 2005; AFP, “French police arrest Indians trying to enter Britain illegally," 12 August 2005