India seeks release of thousands held over UAE riot

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

DUBAI (AFP) — United Arab Emirates police arrested more than 3,000 mostly Indian workers after a dining room riot at a construction site in which a manager, security guards and the workers were beaten up, India's ambassador said on Wedesday.

The ambassador, Talmiz Ahmad, said that the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi was now seeking the release of those not involved in the riot and had made an official approach to the government.

"A total of 3,147 mostly Indian workers were arrested after a small group had a violent altercation in the dining room with the mess manager" at a construction site in the northern emirate of Ras al-Khaimah on Friday evening, the diplomat told AFP by telephone from the capital Abu Dhabi.

"They beat up the manager and security guards, and...