Minister in eye of storm over comment on Naxalites

Dubai, May 17 (UNI) An Andhra minister is in the eye of a storm in the UAE following his reported remarks in a local newspaper that former Naxalites are working as construction workers in the UAE.

The State's Minister of Information, Public Relations and Non-Resident Affairs Muhammed Ali Shabbir was reported in an English daily from Dubai that some Naxalites had found jobs in the UAE.

Another local English daily contradicted the report, quoting the minister who denied as having spoken about Naxalites in Dubai.

Speaking to Khaleej Times from India, Mr Shabbir Ali said a newspaper had misquoted him and the report was completely misleading.

''I did not say that people who served Naxal organisations in Andhra Pradesh have found jobs in Dubai,'' he was quoted as saying.

He wondered how a Naxalite could get a passport without police verification.

''Once the Naxalites surrender to the police, they are referred to the court, which decides what punishment should be meted out. How can such people land overseas jobs?,'' he asked.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai said it did not have any information about ex-Naxals having found jobs in Dubai.

UNI XC SHB KN1618