Centre for release of Indians detained in Oman

This assurance was given by Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed to Kerala Chief Minister.

The Centre has offered to take urgent steps for release of large number of Indians detained in Oman by military authorities as part of combing operations against Somali militants who have infiltrated that country.

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This assurance was given by Union Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed to Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, who had expressed concern over reports that the those taken into custody by Oman army included a large number of Keralites.

According to Chief Minister's office in Thiruvananthapuram, Ahamed had informed Achuthanandan that Indian Embassy in Oman had already intervened in the matter.

Indian workers were taken into custody by Oman army during combing operations as many of them could not produce proper documents like labour permits, resident cards and passports. They had been detained in army camps.

The Indian Embassy had asked the sponsors and employers who engaged these workers to come out with documents to help their release from custody.

According to information received by the Non-Resident Keralaite Affairs Department in Thiruvananthapuram, about 2,000 Indians had been taken into custody in Oman.

The embassy had instructed Indian citizens to carry labour cards and resident permits always with them.