Govt. confirms five Indians in Iraq custody

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 15 (UNI) Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi tonight confirmed that five Indians, including three Keralites, were in the custody of Iraq for the past nearly one month.

It was suspected that the Indians had gone across the borders from Kuwait in violation of the ban, the minister told UNI here.

''We are trying to secure their release through the Indian Embassy there,'' he added.

He said the Embassy received a call from Punjab and secured the address of the company which engaged the labourers. ''When the Embassy officials contacted the company, they confirmed that five Indians are in the Iraq custody.'' He pointed out that the government had banned Indians from going to Iraq. The government was giving immigration clearances for the country.

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