The start of the new year 2012 was jubiliant for 12 of the 22 Diamond traders detained in China on charges of diamond smuggling, as they retuned home finally after almost a month since the Chinese court ordered their deportation last December. The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court had sentenced 10 of the traders to prison terms. The GJEPC, the apex body of India’s gem and jewellery trade, as PTI reports is making efforts towards the release of the 10 traders.

It may be recalled that the 22 traders were arrested on January 8, 2010 in Shenzhen, China and charged with smuggling diamonds worth $ 7.3 million.