Failed to get travel papers, Indian hangs self

Dubai, May 9 (UNI) An Indian worker who lost his passport, hanged himself when he failed to get emergency travel papers from the Indian Consulate here to return home.

Raja Reddy, 32, a construction worker, committed suicide on Sunday evening, when he failed to get outpass from the consulate, his roommate said.

Reddy, who arrived in Sharjah in 2005 in search of a job, had become desperate after recruitment agents took his passport away and pressure mounted on him from home for clearance of debts, news reports said.

Consulate officials said they did not recall meeting Reddy but said an outpass could only be provided to those who could be confirmed as Indian nationals.

According to the roommate, Reddy had an election identity card to prove that he was an Indian.

According to friends, he had borrowed about Rs 70,000 (Dhs 5,729) from India at a very high interest rate but was earning less than Dhs 300 every month.

K V Shamsudheen of Pravasibandhu Welfare Trust, which counsels those with such difficulties, said 25 Indians have committed suicide till now this year.

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