In a humanitarian gesture, about 149 Indian prisoners jailed for minor and financial offences in Sharjah will be freed following the amnesty declared in Thiruvananthpuram by the Emirate’s visiting ruler Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al- Qasimi. The decision has also been welcomed by Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.
Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan made a request to the visiting Sharjah ruler seeking the release of Keralites who had completed three years of their jail term in Sharjah.
The request was made to Sultan Al-Qasimi at a function held at Raj Bhawan where he was honoured with an honorary D.lit Degree from Calicut University. Governor Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam conferred the degree.
“Those facing punishment for minor offences and financial misappropriation would be given pardon as per the general amnesty,” according to a joint statement issued by the Sharjah and Kerala governments.
Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj thanked Emir of Sharjah Sultan bin Muhammad Al- Qasimi for pardoning Indian prisoners. She tweeted
Sharjah also agreed to open an institution of higher learning for Arabic studies and research and set up a chain of skill development centres for imparting training to those seeking jobs in the Gulf region. The Kerala government also offered land for construction of a permanent building for the UAE consulate in the state capital.
Kerala will also set up Sharjah Family City project, cultural centre and International Education Complex in Sharjah. A joint committee consisting top officials of Sharjah and Kerala would be set up to work out an action plan to implement projects agreed to by both sides.
The Sharjah ruler met the chief minister at his official residence. He also met the council of ministers and discussed various issues pertaining to Kerala and Sharjah.