Indians stranded in Angola do not want to come back: Govt

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Government on Wednesday said Indians working in a strife-torn cement factory in Angola were not keen on coming back even when offered facilities to return home.

Minister for Overseas Affairs Vyalar Ravi said in Rajya Sabha that these workers were employed by a Dubai-based Indian company and were demanding payment of over time duty.

He said there was a strike on the issue on April 16 after which the Indian embassy there had intervened but nothing happened.

"The situation on May 9 reached a point where the local police had to intervene and teargas shells were lobbed and firing in air was done," Ravi said adding that one Indian national Vinay Kumar from Karnataka was injured and was being treated at the Military hospital there.

The Minister informed that after the incident, 59 Indians were produced in the local court where a fine of USD 40,000 was imposed on 22 of them adding that the Government was there to take care of the money part involved there.

Ravi said the workers were offered to be taken back to India but majority of them refused to do so.

The minister was responding to concerns voiced by members over reports that 1,200 Indians working with the cement were stranded.