Violence is unacceptable, Indian minister tells workers

Dubai: An Indian minister has asked workers not to resort to violence to air their grievances after several labourers went on the rampage in Ras Al Khaimah, leading to their arrests.

“We cannot accept any kind of violence in the Gulf. I appeal to Gulf workers not to resort to violence,'' Vayalar Ravi, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister, told a meeting of his ministry. The incident occurred on Friday when workers of a ceramics manufacturing unit attacked a camp manager and damaged vehicles in protest against the poor quality of food.

“We are there to protect you. Please keep the honour of India. Do not complicate the situation,'' he said. “And it was such a small issue of a canteen.''

The labourers, are believed to be from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab.

Ravi said the issue had snowballed with the workers turning violent. “When we spoke to our counterparts

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister in the UAE labour ministry, they told us that the matter was out of their hands and being dealt with the Interior Ministry as it is a law and order problem,'' Ravi was quoted as saying.

The minister said the UAE authorities have threatened to deport the workers. He said the Indian ambassador and consulgeneral are trying to get the majority of the workers, who were not involved in the violence, released.

“It is possible that some may be sent back,'' he was quoted as saying.

Indian ambassador to the UAE Talmiz Ahmad has said the Indian embassy has condemned the protest and is trying to get the workers released.

“The Indian embassy has asked the UAE authorities that all the people involved in the incident should be dealt with as per the country's laws, but those workers, who were not involved in the incident, should be freed and allowed to go to work,'' he said.