NEWS FROM THE U.A.E.
Excerpts from U.A.E. Dailies

Missing man's family calls for police inquiry 

Dubai: 09 Jan. 05:The family of a man missing for the past week has begged police to consider it a kidnap case, and not that of an absconding worker.

Mohammad Faisal, 27, an Indian hotel receptionist described by his family as an "honest, decent man", went missing on January 3.

The hotel manager later found Dh70,000 missing along with Faisal's passport, and filed a police complaint. His brother, Mohammad Farouq said he went missing sometime between 5.30am and 6.30am.

Police from Naif Station found Faisal's passport at a car rental agency, where he had left it days before.

Blood-stained cushion

The same day, a hotel resident discovered a wet, bloodstained, sofa cushion.

The family returned to the station, begging the police to look at the cushion. Farouq said the hotel owner denied there was anything untoward so they did not come. Farouq said his family returned to the police station on January 4 and finally "an officer told us to call 999 and tell the police what we found."

"The police saw the cushion, they moved the sofa, and found two drops of blood. It also seems other blood had been wiped off. They called the CID to take samples. Our brother is an honest, decent man and we believe harm has come to him." Farouq tried to lodge another police complaint that his brother was missing.

"I was told I could not, as somebody else had already filed a complaint against my brother saying he stole money. I understand the man is wanted." The blood that was found is being investigated but the results are taking longer than usual because of the holidays, a police officer said.

GULF NEWS

Also read:
 28-year-old Mangalorean Hotel Cashier Missing in Dubai

Labourers seek own delegation to represent them at Indian expat meet 

Dubai: 09 January 05: Blue collar workers feel that they would have been more suitable to highlight the problems they face in the Gulf than representatives of various Indian welfare bodies and social workers on Overseas Indian Day.

They hope that some day they will get to represent themselves at the Overseas Indian Day held annually in India. The event at present is under way at Hyderabad, in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Over the last three years since the Overseas Indian Day was launched, the issues faced by the blue collar workers had been highlighted during the three-day event by representatives of various Indian associations and social workers from the UAE. This year it is K. Kumar, convener of the Indian Community Welfare Committee, who will speak on their behalf.

Gulf News spoke to a number of blue collar workers on how they would like their problems to be highlighted on a platform that is dedicated in honour of the vast Indian diaspora. Opinions generated were mixed.

Some showed completed ignorance of the event, while others hoped that in future India will sponsor a delegation of blue collar workers from the Gulf.

There were also a few who showed complete disinterest in the various announcements made by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the inaugural day of the Overseas Indian Day such as granting voting rights to Non-Resident Indians in the Gulf, insurance cover and a credible mechanism in immigration procedures.

During a visit to the UAE last year, Oscar Fernandes the Minister for Overseas Indians Affairs, termed it a 'good suggestion' when told that a delegation of blue collar workers should be sponsored to participate in the Overseas Indian Day.

Voices

"Voting rights for the Gulf NRIs were announced but what is in it for us? Have they announced anything for us that would help us in getting our wages on time," asked Sahu Singh who works as a mason and earns Dh650 a month.

Tulsidas Chakrath, an electrician, said he is more at peace in the UAE. "Last year we had problems of non-payment of salary in our company. The UAE Ministry of Labour and the Dubai police sorted out our problems," he said.

'They just make promises and disappear'

Rammohan Guttu who works as a carpenter said he had paid Rs80,000 (Dh 6612.54) to an agent for a visa.

"I am working on daily wages. Some day I will be deported. But who shall I blame?" he asked. "Our ministers when they come here make all promises and disappear. Do you really think that those who are sitting in New Delhi have time to think about our problems? It is better not to get invited to such events that do not hold any significance for me," added Guttu.

"It is just a waste of time. Let people go and talk on our behalf. What do they know of the hardships that we endure," said P. Ramana who works as a driver and earns Dh525 a month.

"What is Overseas Indian Day? I do not know anything about it," said Kuldeep Singh who works as a steel fabricator and earns Dh800 a month.

GULF NEWS

Finger gesture lands driver in trouble 

Dubai: 09 January 2005: Beware when you flash your headlights at someone the next time ... for you might land in trouble as one driver learnt.

A policeman told police that he noticed a motorist was driving "recklessly and dangerously" in his mirrors. The 33-year-old Jordanian driver had turned on the high beam, indicating that he wanted to be given way.

The policeman was driving in the fast lane and the motorist, travelling at the maximum speed, wanted to go faster. The policeman, however, refused to give him way.

The outraged driver, swerved to the right lane, overtook the policeman, wound down his window and made an indecent gesture at him. The policeman went to a police station and reported the incident, giving a description of the car along with its number plate.

The Dubai Public Prosecution charged the Jordanian driver with making an indecent gesture at the policeman in public. The Dubai Court of First Instance sentenced him to six months in jail. The ruling was suspended for three years on the condition the driver does not repeat the crime.

In his statement to police, the Jordanian apologised to the policeman and asked for forgiveness. The judge gave the accused a lenient punishment because it was his first offence and he promised not to repeat it.

GULF NEWS

Indian expatriates hail voting rights

DUBAI — 09 January 2005: The expatriate Indian community in the UAE has welcomed the declaration of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that voting rights would soon be granted to Indians temporarily working in Gulf countries.

A cross-section of the Indian community told Khaleej Times the move is highly appreciated and suggested that the government should also consider giving representation in Parliament to expatriates in the Gulf.

J. Parkash, an Indian expatriate, said the campaign expatriate Indians undertook last year through Khaleej Times had helped push the case of voting rights with Delhi.

Kiran Sangani, prominent Indian businessman, said: "This is a very inspiring move for the expatriate Indian community in the Gulf region. Expatriate Indians have been demanding voting rights for a long time and it is nice to hear that the government is moving towards fulfilling their wish. When we have the voting rights, we can feel that we also have some role to play in Indian democracy and it can create a positive impact."

He urged the Indian government to consider giving representation to the expatriate Indians in Parliament.

"If expatriates get representation in Parliament it is easy to bring in the views and problems of expatriate community to  the attention to the government," he pointed out.

Mehmood, team leader, Emirates Islamic Bank, welcomed the move and called it a "productive decision".

"We were waiting for years to get the right to take part in Indian democratic system. If we have the right to vote, we won't feel neglected and feel more comfortable," he said. 

Vahidullah, Managing Director, Cross Bay company in Jebel Ali Free Zone, said: "We hope government will grant the voting rights to the expatriates soon. It would be wonderful to take part in Indian democratic system. Most of the expatriates did not have the opportunity to cast their vote before as they were not in the country. When we have the opportunity to vote, we can draw the attention of the government to various problems we are facing."

Sudheer Kumar, a worker in Al Quoz said: "This is a bold move. I hope I can cast my vote in the next election. It is a special feeling to cast the vote because we feel more that we are Indians."

He said this would help the expatriate community actively participate in Indian democracy.

KHALEEJ TIMES