TRIVANDRUM,Febrauary9,2012: A Non-resident Keralite (NRK) businessman has come to the rescue of Keralites languishing in jails in Saudi Arabia for want of proper documents to prove their identity and without resources to pay the airfare back to Kerala.Siddeek Ahmed, chairman and managing director of Saudi-based Eram-ITL Group, has offered to meet travel bills of all those who will be released from jail. Besides, Saudi, the group has presence in India, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Turkey, Kuwait, India, Italy, the UK, Philippines and Korea. Ahmed on Wednesday handed over a cheque to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to meet the travel expense of Kallacheri Mathew, who was released from jail recently following efforts by the state government. Chandy had sought the help of NRK organisations in various Gulf countries to come forward to provide assistance to secure the release of those who had landed up in jails for none of their fault and forced to remain there even after serving their term. According to official estimates over 1400 Indians, mostly from Kerala, are languishing in Saudi jail even after completing their term because they don’t have valid documents and legal aid. Ahmed will arrange air tickets for them once the officials complete legal formalities.
Ahmed said he had appointed representatives in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam to carry forward the charity. He said that he had been doing this for the past five years through various community groups, but from no onwards would do on his own. Hailing the gesture, the chief minister said it will go a long way in helping the expatriates in distress. He said that the message it sends will instil a confidence in them. They should know that there somebody will take care of them at times of need. Chandy said most of the people languishing in the jails were ignorant of the rules of the host countries and victims of visa rackets. I hope more individuals and groups will come forward to help them by identifying them and arranging flights back home.
Ahmed said he had appointed representatives in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam to carry forward the charity. He said that he had been doing this for the past five years through various community groups, but from no onwards would do on his own. Hailing the gesture, the chief minister said it will go a long way in helping the expatriates in distress. He said that the message it sends will instil a confidence in them. They should know that there somebody will take care of them at times of need. Chandy said most of the people languishing in the jails were ignorant of the rules of the host countries and victims of visa rackets. I hope more individuals and groups will come forward to help them by identifying them and arranging flights back home.
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