Published Sunday, July 08, 2012
Indian Ambassador to the UAE M K Lokesh
(Supplied)
Over 1,200 Indian citizens, including women, are in the UAE jails for various
crimes – including financial crimes, murder and theft, according to the Indian
Ambassador to the UAE M K Lokesh.
Speaking to Emirates 24|7 at his office in Abu Dhabi, Lokesh was unable to say how many of those cases pertained to bad cheques issued, but added that embassy is currently collecting a detail breakdown.
“We are still collecting the latest figures and our representatives regularly visit the jails,” Lokesh said.
“We are a diplomatic mission. We are there to take care of the Indian community. However, they are subjected to the local rules.
“We can only warn the community and advise citizens not to get into such financial liabilities. If you cannot repay the loans, then don’t take loans.”
“We cannot give small interest free loans because we cannot do banking activities here. Part of the fund at the Indian Community Welfare Fund can be used to extending small help to distressed Indians, not for big amounts,” he said.
However, Lokesh is still a worried man.
Despite the embassy conducting 70 suicide prevention awareness campaigns through the Indian Workers Resources Center, the number of expat Indians resorting to ending their lives remains alarmingly high.
Over the last month at least one Indian has committed suicide in the UAE every week.
Almost all the cases had debt involved and often it was borrowings within the community.
“Recently I got a case where an Indian community member borrowed from another community member. The second party absconded to Kerala.
“We took action and sent their documents to the Kerala Government for police action. There are cases where people back home are harassed for loans taken here and we have helped them get local protection.
“In this case the disputed amount is Dh175,000 lent by one Indian to another in full trust.”
Speaking to Emirates 24|7 at his office in Abu Dhabi, Lokesh was unable to say how many of those cases pertained to bad cheques issued, but added that embassy is currently collecting a detail breakdown.
“We are still collecting the latest figures and our representatives regularly visit the jails,” Lokesh said.
“We are a diplomatic mission. We are there to take care of the Indian community. However, they are subjected to the local rules.
“We can only warn the community and advise citizens not to get into such financial liabilities. If you cannot repay the loans, then don’t take loans.”
“We cannot give small interest free loans because we cannot do banking activities here. Part of the fund at the Indian Community Welfare Fund can be used to extending small help to distressed Indians, not for big amounts,” he said.
However, Lokesh is still a worried man.
Despite the embassy conducting 70 suicide prevention awareness campaigns through the Indian Workers Resources Center, the number of expat Indians resorting to ending their lives remains alarmingly high.
Over the last month at least one Indian has committed suicide in the UAE every week.
Almost all the cases had debt involved and often it was borrowings within the community.
“Recently I got a case where an Indian community member borrowed from another community member. The second party absconded to Kerala.
“We took action and sent their documents to the Kerala Government for police action. There are cases where people back home are harassed for loans taken here and we have helped them get local protection.
“In this case the disputed amount is Dh175,000 lent by one Indian to another in full trust.”
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