The first batch of Indian expats who availed the amnesty, left Kuwait by the special Jazeera Airways flight yesterday to Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, thereby ending uncertainty about their repatriation.
Another two flights will take-off to the Indian cities Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow and Vijayawada today, as India’s aviation authorities have finally agreed to operate special category flights to Indian airports.
A total of 145 female passengers, including an infant, left to Andhra Pradesh, and this is the first batch of Indians flying home after availing amnesty this year, an Indian Embassy official said.
The Kuwait government is repatriating all those who availed amnesty to their home countries free of charge. This amnesty program is considered an unprecedented initiative by a Gulf country.
Over 7000 Indians were staying in shelters for about a month, while most of their counterparts from other countries already flew home. Countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Egypt have already allowed repatriation of most of their nationals who availed amnesty.
Last week about 240 Indians who were detained in the deportation centres in Kuwait for various reasons were repatriated.
