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Over 600 workers held for violence

SHARJAH — Over 600 workers of Tiger Contracting company who were involved in violence and posed security threats to motorists and residents in Al Nahda area yesterday, were arrested by Sharjah Police and referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation.

by

Afkar Ali Ahmed

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Published: Thu 3 Apr 2008, 9:03 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 4:45 PM

Some 800 workers were involved in the incident on Tuesday night and continued until the wee hours yesterday. But, the police arrested 625 workers who were involved in the destruction of property, blocking traffic and causing security threats to residents and motorists in Al Nahda area.

Some 15 workers who suffered minor injuries were rushed by the police to hospitals in Sharjah, Khaleej Times has learnt.

A Sharjah Police source said the workers were protesting against the decision by their camp official who had shifted them to two under-construction buildings that were unfit for use as accommodation. The workers were moved temporarily following maintenance work which is currently under way in their labour accommodation located in the Sharjah Industrial Area, it was learnt.

The police source disclosed that on Tuesday at 11pm they received a call from motorists complaining that a group of workers had blocked the road by heaps of building materials and wooden cable drums and were throwing stones on motorists and passerby. On confirmation of the incident through the observation cameras activated at the site, a number of police patrols were dispatched to Al Nahda area.

The workers, majority of them from the sub-continent, refused to tell the police the provocation for the violence and continued to throw stones at motorists and police officials. They caused damage to a number of vehicles and buildings in the residential area.

Police help from Dubai, Abu Dhabi as well as Anti-Riots Unit and Special Security Forces were also summoned to help control the situation.

An official from the company, when contacted, said he had no clue what provoked the violence. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Brig. Humaid Al Hudaidi, Director-General of Sharjah Police, referred to the incident as “a riot act” which affected the security in the emirate without any reason.”

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