Saturday, January 8 2005 20:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dubai: Several Indians, including 26 women, have been arrested during raids at a residential area in Dubai for staying allegedly without proper documents, officials said today (Jan 8, 2005).

The Indian Consulate said the 26 women, many of whom from Kerala, did not have passports or other travel documents and were lodged in the Dubai Immigration premises at Al Quoz area.

"We have asked for more information from the police and if they ask for outpasses we will provide them so that they can be sent home," an official with the Indian Consulate said.

Meanwhile, official sources said "several" Indian men have also been arrested in the raids conducted recently.

Recruitment agents often keep passports of hapless women who then become illegal immigrants in the eye of the law here.

There had been incidents of girls running away from the clutches of unscrupulous agents and getting home with the help of the Indian consulate and good samaritans.