Ajman sealed off in hunt for illegal workers

Ajman: Security forces conducted a search for illegal workers on Thursday, closing off the industrial district of Ajman from the Sharjah border.

The roads were closed from 8am in and out of the Ajman Industrial Area. People who wanted to enter or leave the area were turned away, giving rise to various rumours.

Military forces and riot police with dogs were seen patrolling the area, and army helicopters circled overhead.

Brigadier Ali Abdullah Alwan, chief of Ajman Police, told Gulf News that they were scouring the area for illegal workers.

"It is a hunt for illegal workers. There are many of them here. Many companies from other emirates are accommodating their workers here," he said. Residents were in the dark about what was unfolding.

"The schoolbus just dropped me and my seven-year-old sister here on the road. We live here in the industrial area," said Kamran from India.

Kamran, 15, said his family live in the industrial area, but police banned him and his sister and many other students from going there.

Later last night, a senior Interior Ministry official told Gulf News there was no security or terrorist threat. Law enforcement units, both local and federal, launched an operation to catch illegal residents.

The operation ended at 5pm.