Crackdown on illegals!

That's what they say they're trying to do. But really, the scene, as described by eyewitnesses, seems that the cops just don't like the sight of poor labourers.

A couple of weeks ago, the Qatar authorities began what they call a "crackdown" on illegals. Their next move? Over the next Fridays, an off day in Qatar, a few police cars drove down to Shara Kharaba, one of the oldest areas of Doha dotted with hundreds of small and big shops (similar to Delhi's Connaught Place), caught hold of any and every poor looking expat - lots of innocent Nepalis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, maybe a few Indians - and "started hitting him with sticks", according to an eyewitness.

The act was carried on with such great force that traffic had to be diverted over the next couple of Fridays.

According to a newspaper report today, Shara Kharaba shopkeepers have spoken of a drastic slump in their businesses because hardly any people are now coming to the area due to the fear of being caught in the cops' "lathi charge".

But when the labourers know they can get caught, and if they do, no questions asked, they will just be beaten up, why are they still going to the area?

The answer lies somwehere in the word helplessness. Friday, the only day they get off, and the only day they are allowed outside their Labour Camps situated in the Salwa Industral Area. Several buses bring these labourers from their camps and drop them off at the Shara Kharaba area for them to do anything they wish to, and the buses then pick them up to take them back after six hours. They really don't have much of a choice to tell the driver to drop them somewhere else instead of Shara Kharaba.

Last Friday, between 3pm and 6pm the cops came around with batons, and rounded up these poor labourers.

Every expat in Qatar has an I-Card, which is basically your proof of legality in the country. But apparently, the cops didn't even ask these people to show their I-cards, instead made them sit on the ground "like lambs and goats" and started hitting them, an eyewitness says.

When a few passersby objected they were told to "get out" of there.

It seems Qatar's giving a clear cut hint. Shoo the poor ones away, either catch them without their IDs, or just simply scare them outta here.

But this story is much deeper than it seems. There are several sides to it, several angles to it, several tales...

Destination next: Shara Kharaba, in the garb of a poor labourer.