They are now trying to hide from the immigration authorities, but are running out of food in the process. Mercifully, some of them are surviving on free food provided by local Malayalees.

Some of those stranded have written to the Kerala government, which says it can't do anything. Mr M M Hassan, the state's minister responsible for non-resident Keralites, was quoted as saying, "We simply don't have the wherewithal to fly them back. We have asked the Centre to help us save their lives. If their distressed letters are to be believed most of them are starving. We have to take some urgent steps."

One of unfortunate victims, Naryanan of Kuttipuram wrote in his letter: "Four months back I mortgaged my four-cent land to pay up the travel agent. When I reached here I came to know that I was sent on a visiting visa. Now I don't have money to go back. The Indian consulate shooed me away. Now I survive with the free food provided once a day by some Malayalees here. In our batch there were around 85 persons."

Another victim wrote, "As soon as we reached here we were herded in a mess. A person called Suhaib used to visit us often. Slowly he stopped coming and even our food supply was reduced."

Sadly, the state government seems more interested in buck passing than solving the immediate problem. Appearing to wash his hands off the crisis, Mr Hassan added, "Our role is only limited. We are flooded with such complaints. It is for the Centre to take action."

- nriol.com report

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