Amnesty period: Indian Embassy witnesses rush

Manama 

As  the demand for availing the amnesty period increases, Indian Embassy has been receiving over 100 applications a day in recent weeks. 

According to Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha, the interest in utilising the amnesty period is at its peak. Speaking at the embassy’s Open House yesterday, Sinha said that there had been a huge surge in the number of applicants seeking amnesty in the past month. 

“Among those who have applied, most of the cases were categorised as overstay but each case is a unique case. 

Going by the number of applications coming to the embassy, we can say that there is an increase in awareness about the amnesty,” he said.

“Compared to earlier months, the number of people, who have been given out passes, has increased. Last week was one of our busiest weeks since the amnesty period started. Some days the applications are slightly lesser, but on an average it’s one hundred applications a day,” Sinha explained. 

He added: “I do not expect that this would continue for too long as most of the cases are being addressed. This has reached a peak, taking into consideration the probable number of people who may need to avail amnesty. It also shows that our awareness campaigns on the amnesty period have produced results.” 

“There are several cases where we have had to purchase tickets to help some amnesty seekers to go home. We have a fund to help the distressed Indians, who are unable to afford the expenses of travelling,” he commented. 

Sinha also highlighted the role of The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) in creating awareness about the amnesty period campaign.