New Delhi, May 08: Stung by reports of maltreatment of Indian nationals working under the US-led coalition authority in Iraq, government today said it has taken a number of steps including tightening emigration control and asked its missions in Baghdad, Amman and Kuwait to give assistance to Indians in the war-ravaged country wanting to return home. It also made it clear that no Indian police officer has been sent to Iraq for training of Iraqi police nor was there any concrete proposal under its consideration for sending such officers there or anywhere else for this purpose.

Discounting a media report about India deputing police officers to Iraq, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said "Some preliminary and informal" exercise was undertaken earlier this year to explore the possibility of such a training programme in India or elsewhere outside Iraq.

He said the government's immediate priority was to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals including ex-servicemen who have been taken to Iraq by recruiting agents on false assurances in contravention of the emigration requirements.

Bureau Report