Community sources said law enforcement authorities there launched an intensive crackdown on Sunday, but there was no official confirmation of the raids from Omani or UAE authorities.
Mohammad Hanif, a Pakistani resident of Buraimi, said: "I have not seen such a massive operation in the last 14 years. Security agencies raided neighbourhoods day and night, catching illegal immigrants even while they were asleep in their homes. But they first checked papers and then made the arrests."
Buraimi wore a deserted look yesterday, with many not daring to venture out of their houses. Gulshan Kumar, an Indian, said: "I think the raids are almost over."
Ahsan Al Haq, a Bangladeshi resident of Buraimi, said it was a sudden operation and its main thrust was in the Wadi Al Jazai and Mahdha areas. Security agencies are still patrolling those areas.
He said: "Many illegal immigrants enter Buraimi and then the UAE from these two areas. They come by boat from Iran and Pakistan."
He said Wadi Al Jazai and Mahdha areas are mountainous, and infiltrators easily evade the security checkposts located on the main Buraimi-Muscat highway to reach Buraimi and then go on to the UAE.
Idris Ahmad, another Pakistani, said expatriates who were on UAE visas were also arrested during the raids. "I don't know what has happened to them," he said, when asked whether they were released.
A large number of Pashtuns, who were living in Eastern Sanaiya (industrial area) of Al Ain, moved to Buraimi after their illegally constructed shacks and huts were demolished in April by the UAE authorities. Most of them were staying in Eastern Sanaiya illegally.
Community sources said the Pashtuns were worried about the latest crackdown, and many have gone into hiding in Buraimi.
The UAE authorities have also been taking steps to restrict the movement of expatriates on Omani visas and illegal immigrants from Oman.
10 infiltrators held in three days
The Armed Forces Frontier Guards arrested 10 infiltrators of various nationalities over the last three days.
The infiltrators, who were arrested while they were trying to enter the country illegally, have been detained pending trial. The move is part of a national campaign to put an end to the phenomenon.
- WAM
Gulf News
