Drive against illegal aliens in Oman not India-specific

New Delhi, July 27 (UNI) Union Minister for External Affairs E Ahamed today said the campaign against illegal immigrants in Sultanate of Oman was not directed against Indians only, but it was a drive against all unlawful aliens.

Making a statement on an issue raised by CPI(M) member A Vijayaraghavan in the Rajya Sabha about detention of thousands of Indians, the Minister said Oman authorities had rounded up over 4,000 people including Indians.

''About 870 Indians with valid papers were released and those without the documents have been detained and deported back to India after being lodged in a camp and not a jail, as alleged,'' he said.

He said the campaign that India was doing nothing to protect its nationals, the Minister said the Indian Embassy had deputed four officers exclusively to deal with the problems and he himself was in constant touch with the Manpower Minister of Sultanate of Oman.

Mr Ahamed said it was the right of every country to ensure only foreigners with valid documents were living in their territory and none could object to such a move.

It was a drive against all illegal aliens in general and not targeting just Indians, he said.

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