Dubai: As many as 26,000 Indians were among 100,000 illegal immigrants who left United Arab Emirates (UAE) under a six-month general amnesty that ended on June 30, official sources said on July 2.

The amnesty, originally meant for four months, was extended to six months to benefit maximum number of illegal expatriates wishing to leave the country without punishment.

Meanwhile, some reports said about 40,000 illegals were taken into custody by immigration authorities for staying back in violation of residency rules during the period.

The Indian Missions here said that as many as 26,000 illegal immigrants from India left the UAE under the amnesty. These include scores of maids who had fled their local sponsors for various reasons and were working illegally.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai had pressed volunteers into service to meet the rush during the closing days of the amnesty.

Under a Federal Law of 1996, illegal stayers face a maximum jail term of 10 years and a 10,000-Dirham fine and a minimum punishment of one-month jail and 1,000-Dirham fine.

In 1996 too the UAE government had granted an amnesty which enabled 150,000 expatriates regularise their jobs and 170,000 leave without punishment.

The UAE is home to one million Indian expatriates who form its largest immigrant community.

PTI