Report and Pics: A M Aarif Jokatte, Dammam, Media Cell

Dammam, Jul 20: After two and a half years of imprisonment, Sameer Khan, son of Maliyakkan Hassan, a resident of Komari in Calicut finds no words to express his gratitude towards the India Fraternity Forum (IFF) and few social workers whose continuous efforts have set him free.

Speaking at a press conference called to share his experiences and thank the ones who had struggled to relieve him, Sameer Khan expresses his feelings in more than just words. Khan said that he wishes to go on an Umrah pilgrimage and return to India as soon an Iqama (personal identity card) is issued to him. Khan also thanked India Fraternity Forum, Dammam, central committee president Moosa Kutty, P A M Haris, and Abdul Razak.

In January of 2007, Sameer Khan who was the driver of a water transport tanker was imprisoned on being proved guilty of killing a Saudi Arabian boy in a road accident. On knowing that his release is being delayed, the family of the accused placed a request to the Indian Embassy according to which it passed the responsibility of Sameer Khan’s case to the IFF. 

Mohammed Ali, a representative of the public service sector of IFF, Dammam, then held talks with the representative of the father of the dead boy and the reduction of the compensation amount to 50,000 Saudi Arabian riyals from 100000 riyals (approximately Rs12,00,000) which was previously claimed was the factor that helped the organization.

A week after that IFF with the help of a few social workers and organizations succeeded in setting Sameer Khan free. 

The opinion of the people at the conference was that apart from 25,000 Saudi Arabian riyals, which were previously paid from the government fund, the collection of the remaining half of the required sum to be paid in just four days has been a new experience in the field of social service in Dammam. 

“The completion of all the legal formalities and the release of Sameer Khan in just a day’s time was a direct result of the systematic and dedicated service of the organizers,” said Mohammed Najathi who serves as a translator at the Saudi Arabian court. The Public Relation Officer of India Fraternity Forum, Dammam, Namir took pleasure in seeking support and help from the public, irrespective of caste, creed and class to render such services hereafter in future.

Mohammed Ali said that talks have been held with the sponsors asking them to issue an Iqama to Khan with attempts being made for the same.