Amnesty requests pour in
Missions fully prepared to cope with the rush
Over 120 requests were submitted at three embassies as the five-month amnesty took effect yesterday.
“The Bangladeshi embassy received 20 applications including one from a woman,” First Secretary Shamim Al Mamun told the Tribune. He said they expected a surge of applications in the last couple of months. “But we are prepared to handle the rush even now.”
Counsellor (political affairs) and Charge d’Affairs ad interim Masudur Rahman said over 100 people took the application forms. “Many came to find out what they had to do to avail themselves of the amnesty.”
Amnesty requests pour in
Missions fully prepared to cope with the rush
Over 120 requests were submitted at three embassies as the five-month amnesty took effect yesterday.
“The Bangladeshi embassy received 20 applications including one from a woman,” First Secretary Shamim Al Mamun told the Tribune. He said they expected a surge of applications in the last couple of months. “But we are prepared to handle the rush even now.”
Counsellor (political affairs) and Charge d’Affairs ad interim Masudur Rahman said over 100 people took the application forms. “Many came to find out what they had to do to avail themselves of the amnesty.”
The embassy is open from 8am to 4pm from Sunday to Thursday to accept applications and Bangladeshis can call on 17714717 for enquiries.
The Indian embassy received around 70 applications – largest among the three missions. “The applications were submitted between 8:30am and 12pm,” Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty said. “We also received 30-40 applications daily last week.”
The embassy has set up four special counters to receive amnesty appeals. Volunteers from the Satya Sai Association man the counters.
“Quite a large number of people came to enquire about the rules and regulations and take application forms,” one volunteer said. The embassy accepts applications from 8.30am and 12pm. The delivery of approved forms is from 3 to 4pm Sunday through Thursday.
Sri Lankan embassy Honorary General Consul P. B. Higgoda said he expected 100-300 people to avail of the amnesty. An estimated 12,000 Lankans are in Bahrain. “Thirty applications have been submitted to me till date but I expect to receive more tonight,” he told the Tribune yesterday. “I had been verbally informing people about the amnesty at the Sri Lankan Club before it was announced.”
Higgoda said he would be available every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday to accept amnesty applications from 7.30pm onwards.
“Sri Lankans looking for help can contact me on my cell 39460644.”
Bonny Mascarenhas
Article from: Bahrain Tribune Newspaper- www.BahrainTribune.com