800 arrested workers remain in custody

Dubai: Some 800 workers who took part in Saturday's violent protest are still in custody, said the Dubai Police chief.

The workers, from two different companies, were detained on Sunday following the protests where police vehicles and public property were vandalised and stones were thrown.

Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police told Gulf News that 4,200 workers out of the 5000 detained workers went back to work yesterday while the remaining number is still in custody.

"We are continuing our investigations and the workers who engaged in vandalism will face prosecution as per UAE law," said Dahi adding that solid evidence is available against more than 40 suspects.

Among the remaining detained workers are illegals, those who wish to cancel their work permits and those who the companies no longer wish to keep, he said.

Talmiz Ahmad, Indian Ambassador to the UAE said workers directly involved in violence have been identified and will be penalised. "There were 159 workers who were identified of which 90 were Indians. They will be prosecuted."

He said most of the workers have no grievances and want to go back to work. "We got in touch with the company and they too did not have any problem to take the workers back.

An undertaking stating that they will not be involved in any violence in the future, respect law and adhere to the law of the country was taken from them," he said.