Providing a ray of hope to scores of Indians languishing in Bahraini prisons, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi has assured legal assistance to inmates from the country during his visit to the kingdom.
While 51 Indians are among the 474 inmates lodged in Bahrain's Jaw prison for men, 14 women are housed in the jail in Isa Town, according to figures released by the Bahrain Human Rights Society.
During interaction with community volunteers in Bahrain, Ravi assured to look into the sordid condition in which Indians are lodged in these prisons and has offered them legal assistance.
Thirty-three Indians are lodged in the Asry detention centre for visa regulation offenders, the volunteers said. These men, who have over-stayed on their visit visas, cannot return home as Bahraini sponsors have seized their passports.
The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) regularly monitors the condition of Indian detainees in Bahrain's prisons and detention centres.
According to ICRF volunteer Florine Mathias, there are currently 14 Indian women in the age group of 25-40 in the Isa Town Women's Jail. The charges against them range from prostitution to theft and petty drug-running.
Most of the women prisoners are from Andhra Pradesh with a few from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Florine said adding that they badly need consumables and sanitary supplies.
{{/usCountry}}Most of the women prisoners are from Andhra Pradesh with a few from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Florine said adding that they badly need consumables and sanitary supplies.
{{/usCountry}}Charitable organisations have so far been arranging essential items for the women every month, she said adding that conditions in the jail were woefully inadequate in terms of provisions.