Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Oct 15: Catholic Sabha Udupi region organized awareness programme in association with district administration on ‘Problems faced by the emigrants in gulf countries, solution and legal advice’.
The awareness was held at Catholic Sabha office hall, Udupi on Sunday October 14.
President of human rights protection foundation, Dr Ravindranath Shanbaug, speaking on the occasion said, “I have been working since 40 years in the human rights protection foundation. Most of the victims are senior citizens over property issues and 40-45% of them are women. The statistics was reported in a survey conducted by Mangaluru University. There are different kinds of problems faced by them.”
“Today all communities have their own associations. Why don’t they come forward to solve these problems? Domestic and family disputes are the biggest challenge today. Out of total 900 cases, 300 cases belong to Catholic community. Most of the poor and illiterate family members are going to gulf countries. As far as I know, every 2 out of 100 people get into trouble in gulf,” he said.
According Shanbaug, women, unskilled labourers, drivers, cleaners, maids, nurses are the victims. “There is no single authorized or registered immigrant agency in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. According to the immigration Act there is no provision to have sub-agents. There are cases where many girls disappeared without any trace. The deals happen in Mumbai and Delhi in the form of auction,” he said.
“A 42-year-old Jacintha Mendonca from Mudarangady is the live example for the harassment. Her life is a lesson for those who want to go to gulf countries. She suffered for almost 18 months. There is an agent and women trafficker named Shabas Khan who is roaming around in Mumbai without the fear of police. The police department did nothing in Jacintha’s case. There are many such agents haunting innocents,” he added.
He alleged that the half of the police personnel protects VIPs and half of them are on street (traffic).
“Let us start working from our respective community level in order to protect senior citizens,” he said.
“Nowadays senior citizens are asking reservation in seats, tickets and other places. But I strongly oppose it. We need to protect the youngsters, who are becoming victims of drugs. All senior citizens are not orphans,” he said.
He further said that in any suspicious death case, there is a provision to apply for second post-mortem report considering it as a special case.
“There are thousands of women who have gone missing. The family do not have the information of their whereabouts. But people do not talk about it. There is a proposal to open 'Vigilance Cell' in Udupi to help senior citizens as well as victims. DC Priyanka also has extended her support in this regard. It will start within a week. I prefer it should be started by a Catholic Church or community,” he said.
Alwyn Quadros, president of Catholic Sabha Udupi diocese welcomed.
Mary D'Souza, appointed president of Catholic Sabha, Maxim D'souza, secretary, Gerald Rodrigues, treasurer and Valerian Fernandes were present during the programme.
Flavian D'Souza compered the programme.