Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Friday requested Prime Minister A B Vajpayee to arrange for concessional fare to those returning from the United Arab Emirates on the general amnesty offer of the UAE government.

In a statement here, he said most of these people listed as “illegal immigrants” have been cheated either by recruiting agents or sponsors and are toiling there to make a living. “The state government is also taking steps to help them return.”

He asked the centre to provide facilities for the airline offering to fly the returnees home free of cost. “The Shipping Corporation of India should also be asked to start services from Mumbai and Kochi to the Gulf to bring back the immigrants.”