According to Royal Oman Police (ROP), 409 illegal stayers were arrested from different locations in Al Khuwair and Al Ghubra. “The raids were conducted between 2am and 5pm by the security forces in Al Khuwair and Al Ghubra areas,” a source told Times of Oman.
A communiqué from ROP says that 375 people were arrested for violating labour laws and 31 for violating residency laws.
Illegal activities.
Among the arrested, some were laid off by their employers and some have been absconding. “The number of illegal stayers from a particular country at one of these locations was quite high. Day by day more and more people were coming to that area. We were even scared of passing through that area. We have also heard that all kind of illegal activities were going on there,” the source added.
“We heard that a few people ran away after seeing the police. But most of them were chased and caught. Those who were hiding were also caught,” the source said.
The raids were carried out by the Ministry of Manpower officials, ROP investigation and criminal investigation department, Directorate-General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigation and Muscat Municipality officials.
“The raid comes within the framework of efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Manpower and other government departments to curb the issue of illegal residency. Illegal residents are causing trouble to society,” a ROP official said.
“Both employers and employees should comply with the labour laws,” the official said, adding citizens and residents should cooperate with ROP to curb illegal stayers issues.
Meanwhile, an official from the embassy of an Asian country in Muscat said that they are waiting to get a clear picture about the citizens from their country were arrested in the raid. “We have not yet received an official communiqué from ROP. We are in touch with them. After we get it, we will be able to deal with the issue,” the embassy official added.
Last week, 269 illegal residents were arrested in a similar raid in Ruwi. The people arrested included 192 violators of the labour laws and 77 for violating the residency law. The residents were rounded up on a tip-off, with the locations being specified by the Public Prosecution.
About 447 violators of labour laws have been arrested between March 3 and March 9 by the Ministry of Manpower officials.
Joint initiative.
In January, a joint team of ROP and Ministry of Manpower raided a residential area in Seeb district of Muscat and arrested 72 people.
The illegal residents are thought to be a major source of criminal activities, including a spate of thefts.
Recently, the police in Muscat had busted a prostitution ring and arrested 10 women of Asian nationality at a particular building in Al Ghubra.
Since last year the government has intensified its effort to curb people staying and entering illegally in the country.
The Coast Guard of Royal Oman Police has also foiled several attempts made by people entering the country illegally.
