New Delhi, March 12: The Government of India has successfully repatriated 266 Indian nationals who were released from cybercrime centres in Southeast Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Wednesday.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft facilitated their safe return.

Taking to social media platform X, the MEA stated, “Government of India arranged for the safe repatriation of 266 Indians yesterday by an IAF aircraft, who were released from cybercrime centres in South East Asia.”

The ministry also highlighted the efforts of Indian embassies, which worked closely with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand to ensure the safe return of the affected individuals.

This repatriation follows a similar operation on Monday when 283 Indians were brought back from Myanmar. These individuals had been lured to Southeast Asian countries with fraudulent job offers and were subsequently forced into cybercrime and other fraudulent activities at scam centres along the Myanmar-Thailand border.

A press release issued by the MEA emphasised the tireless efforts of Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, which coordinated with local authorities to secure the release of those trapped.

The special IAF aircraft deployed on Monday brought back 283 nationals from Mae Sot, Thailand, marking another significant step in India’s ongoing battle against human trafficking and cybercrime rackets in the region.

Reiterating its advisories, the MEA urged Indian citizens to exercise caution regarding fraudulent job offers. The ministry stressed the importance of verifying foreign employers’ credentials through Indian missions abroad and thoroughly checking recruiting agents and companies before accepting overseas job opportunities.

The Indian government has frequently cautioned its citizens about the dangers of falling prey to unsolicited job offers from unknown sources, as many of these scams have led to individuals being exploited and forced into illegal activities.

The recent repatriation was made possible through collaboration between Indian authorities, Myanmar’s Union authorities, and local groups operating in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar, where several victims had been detained.

The Indian Embassy in Myanmar also acknowledged the success of the operation in a post on X, stating, “In coordination with Myanmar’s Union authorities and local groups, 283 Indian nationals at scam compounds in Myawaddy area of Myanmar were released and repatriated yesterday through Mae Sot in Thailand. Strongly reiterate our advice against such job offers.”

Earlier, on February 11, eight more Indian nationals were deported from Myawaddy scam centres to Mae Sot, Thailand, as part of a larger group of 19 foreigners. At the time, the Indian Embassy in Myanmar had confirmed that 133 Indian nationals had been released. “We reaffirm our warning against job offers in this area,” the embassy stated.

With these recent operations, the Indian government continues its proactive efforts to combat human trafficking and protect its citizens from fraudulent overseas job schemes.

New York, March 12: Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters staged a rally and march in New York City in protest of the Donald Trump administration’s policies on the Middle East, campus protests and immigration.

Protesters on Tuesday took to the streets and marched to the City Hall in Lower Manhattan from Washington Park in the afternoon, with a dozen of them detained by the police, Xinhua news agency reported.

Last Friday, the Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University in New York City on anti-Semitic grounds and opened a review of more universities.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student, was arrested on Saturday in his university dormitory by staff members from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Khalil, a permanent resident of the United States, was instrumental in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University that began in April 2024. Khalil’s wife, a US citizen who is eight months pregnant, also received threats from the ICE, according to Khalil’s attorney.

These moves by the Trump administration have sparked a new wave of pro-Palestine protests in New York City.

“This is the first arrest of many to come. We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it,” said Trump in a post on social media on Monday.

During the march, many protesters waved Palestinian flags and banners reading “Free Mahmoud Khalil.”

“This is anti-First Amendment. Also, the university is helping ICE arrest its students, and that’s wrong and unacceptable,” said Ruby Martin, a protester.

Martin said she was particularly concerned that Columbia University allowed ICE on campus property to arrest students. She will also take part in another march demanding Khalil’s release on Tuesday night.

“The University has been involved in this mess for a long time. It’s time to stop,” said Katherine Wilson, an adjunct professor at two universities in New York. She carried a sign reading “Faculty Against Fascism” at the march.

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), 12 people were arrested as participants of the march reached City Hall.

A hearing against Khalil, who could face deportation, is scheduled for Wednesday.

Gaza, March 12: Hamas said that Egyptian and Qatari mediators are continuing efforts to finalise the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and initiate the second phase of negotiations.

In a press statement, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou said on Tuesday that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have been working to complete the ceasefire agreement and move forward with the second phase of negotiations, Xinhua news agency reported.

“There are positive signs in this regard,” said Al-Qanou, adding that Hamas is prepared to engage in upcoming negotiations in a manner that meets the demands of the Palestinian people.

He also called for increased efforts to provide humanitarian relief to the Gaza Strip and lift the ongoing blockade.

According to Al-Qanou, a Hamas leadership delegation arrived in Cairo on Monday and discussed mechanisms for initiating the second phase of negotiations.

Meanwhile, senior Hamas leader Abdul Rahman Shadid stated in a televised conference that Israel continues its “criminal policies” against Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza.

He accused Israel of killings, displacement, mass arrests, blocking food and medical aid, and closing border crossings — worsening the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

Shadid highlighted that Israel’s military operation in Jenin and its refugee camp has entered its 51st day, while similar actions in Tulkarm and its camps, Nour Shams and Tulkarm, have continued for 43 days.

He described these operations as part of Israel’s broader strategy to expand settlements and impose a new reality on Palestinian territories.