230 Indians, including 170 Gujaratis, stranded in UAE over illegal US entry scheme
Sharjah: A failed attempt to enter the United States illegally has left 230 Indians, including 170 Gujaratis, stranded in Sharjah, UAE. The group, comprising families, was lured by agents promising a chartered flight from Dubai to Brazil, followed by a land crossing into the US through Mexico.
Sources revealed that the operation, orchestrated by several agents, was disrupted, leaving the hopeful migrants in limbo. The stranded individuals, which include around 60 people from Delhi and Punjab, are currently staying at the Dana Hotel in Sharjah.
Among the agents implicated are Sameer, Dhaval, and Hasmukh, the latter reportedly a financier based in Dubai. Other agents referred to as Paji, Thakur Saheb, and RK are also under investigation for coordinating the operation.
According to sources, the agents collected ₹3 crore in advance to book a chartered flight, initially scheduled to depart Dubai on December 11 but postponed to December 20 due to concerns over border conditions between Mexico and the US. Despite delays and lack of flight route details, the agents assured the passengers they would reach the US before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
The issue follows a similar incident on December 26, 2023, when a chartered flight carrying suspected illegal immigrants from India was intercepted at France's Vatry Airport. The passengers were sent back to Mumbai.
Illegal immigration agents have allegedly been using various routes, including charter flights from Dubai, Uzbekistan, and Libya, to facilitate such operations. However, increased international crackdowns have led to disruptions, stranding many migrants in Dubai.
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Steel mirrors deployed in Mysuru to discourage public urination
Mysuru (PTI): Fed up with people relieving themselves along roadsides, the Mysuru City Corporation has adopted a unique strategy to curb the practice and promote civic sense by installing reflective steel mirrors along pavements, officials said on Friday.
In what officials described as a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Corporation installed stainless steel sheets with a mirror finish along an 80-metre stretch opposite the Mysuru Suburban Bus Stand.
Officials said the reflective sheets are intended to confront anyone attempting to urinate in public with their own reflection, thereby discouraging the act psychologically.
“The idea is to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, prevent public nuisance, and promote civic sense. It is a simple yet psychological approach that encourages self-awareness through reflection,” officials added.
Soon after the mirrors were installed, videos of the initiative went viral on social media, with many people appreciating the administration’s innovative attempt to address public urination. At the same time, some users pointed out the lack of basic civic sense among people.
Several social media users also suggested that more public toilets, maintained in a hygienic condition, were needed to further discourage open urination.
Explaining how the idea originated, Nitesh Patil, Administrator and Regional Commissioner of the Mysuru City Corporation, told PTI that despite a public toilet being located next to the bus stand, many people continued to urinate in the open.
Even fines and warnings failed to deter them from relieving themselves against vacant compound walls, leaving behind a foul smell.
“One of our engineers came up with this idea, and we decided to implement it. The initiative has received a very positive response from the public, social media, and the press. We are now planning to identify more such locations in the city and install similar reflectors,” he said.
According to him, to ensure that the installation is both effective and visually appealing, LED lighting that switches on along with the streetlights has also been added, causing the stretch to glow at night and enhancing the city’s appearance.
Patil said the initiative had helped create civic awareness while also beautifying the city.
“We want our city to be clean and hygienic. We aspire to become the cleanest city in the country,” he added, recalling that Mysuru secured third place nationally in the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024–25 last year.
