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Abu Dhabi: The Indian embassy noted a slump in the number of amnesty seekers last week, but numbers are picking up again, said senior officials.
Only about 1,500 people approached the embassy last week whereas more than 3,000 turned up in the preceding week. Officials attributed the slump to the "wrong information" spread by a section of people about the possibility of an extension of the grace period. The embassy made it clear that the last date to apply for outpasses is August 2.
On Sunday, however, there were around 650 people and yesterday 600 amnesty-seekers approached the embassy.
Amnesty seekers have to collect their passports from the embassy on any working day. Amnesty seekers whose passports are not with the embassy have to apply for an outpass before the deadline. The embassy has distributed 2,023 passports as of last Thursday out of about 15,000 which were given by the UAE authorities.
appeal
Little community support for the needy
The embassy received lukewarm response from the community to its request to provide help to needy amnesty seekers. "A number of amnesty seekers are struggling to complete the formalities due to lack of money."
The embassy plans to provide them food, shelter and transportation with community support. Those who want help can contact embassy officials at 050-4172344.
- B.A.K.
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