Daijiworld Media Network - Dammam (SP)

Dammam, Feb 9: Indian Social Forum (ISF), which has been extending helping hand to people of Indian origin in distress, succeeded in its endeavour to get Fayaz from Ullal, who was in jail since the last three months after having been arrested for possessing banned drugs, released. Fayaz was arrested by the police personnel of Saudi Arabia on his arrival at Dammam airport from India, after they found that he was carrying drugs that are banned in that country.

There have been several recent instances in which non-resident Indians get caught unawares in such cases. Laws pertaining to such crimes in Saudi Arabia are very tough, and the guilty undergo harsh sentences. Members of ISF, Naushad Katipalla and Ibrahim Krishnapura, succeeded in working in tandem with Indian embassy here, and get the case settled by holding discussions with the sponsor of Fayaz and jail officials.

Fayaz, son of Ibrahim from Ullal, had taken a flight to Saudi Arabia three months back to work there. He had taken with him several tablets in large quantities as they were necessary for his treatment. Customs officials at Dammam airport found these tablets and handed Fayaz to the police. Once illegal drug trafficking case is registered, the chances of getting bail or release are very bleak. Fayaz, who came to know about this, was overwhelmed, and sent a request to Dakshina Kannada MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, for help. Thereafter, the case was also sent to minister for external affairs, Sushma Swaraj.

However, as there was no progress in Fayaz's release since the last three months, relatives of Fayaz contacted ISF and provided to them full details of the case. The members of the forum registered the case in the Indian embassy at Dammam, took over the onus of providing legal assistance to Fayaz Ullal, who was distressed, and contacted the sponsor of Fayaz at Saudi and held discussions with jail officials. After necessary papers and documents needed to settle the case were provided, Fayaz was finally released from jail on February 6.

ISF has drawn up a plan to bring out a booklet in association with the Indian embassy here, with the aim of providing detailed information to non-resident Indians and create awareness among them relating to banned medicines. It has requested the travellers not to carry medicines not backed by proper documents and also those that are banned in Saudi Arabia when travelling to that country.