Twelve workers from Pilibhit district Uttar Pradesh are reportedly imprisoned and facing harassment in Kyrgyzstan. Their families appealed to the local administration for their rescue and safe return to India.
The Pilibhit the district administration has sent a comprehensive report to the home ministry about the plight of 12 labourers, PTI reported quoting local officials.
District Magistrate (DM) Gyanendra Singh confirmed that the report was compiled after the Ministry of Home Affairs formally asked for a detailed account of the factual situation and instructed the Superintendent of Police (SP) to initiate an investigation.
“Information on all 12 persons stranded in Kyrgyzstan has been collected and sent to the government so that a proper process can be initiated for their safe return,” Gyanendra Singh said. PTI on Friday.
The families said the twelve workers – identified as Ravi Kumar, Ajay, Chandrapal, Santram, Rohit, Ramesh, Harswaroop, Shyamcharan, Sanjeev, Prempal, Ramasare and Harishankar – were sent to Kyrgyzstan about three months ago by agents running a local recruitment agency.
Blaming families and suffering
Families of men imprisoned overseas have alleged that their relatives are being tortured and that local recruitment agents are demanding up to ₹2 million for their safe return. The workers also recorded and sent video messages to their families, desperately pleading for rescue.
Relatives of those stranded often turn to local police and administrative staff for help.
Earlier this week, several family members met DM Singh and Superintendent of Police Abhishek Yadav to narrate the full story of their ordeal.
About the case
Relatives said each worker reportedly paid approx ₹2.5 lakh and was sent on a 59-day visa based on what they described as “misleading contracts”.
The families further alleged that the men are forced to work in different cities, are denied proper food and are prevented from returning home. They added disturbing claims that workers are being physically assaulted and treated “worse than animals”.
SP Yadav said the matter has been assigned to CO City Deepak Chaturvedi for investigation. He said the families have provided written complaints alleging that a local firm operating out of the city colony along with its agents was responsible for sending the men overseas on false promises.
Officials said all twelve workers wish to return to India as soon as possible and their video calls have been officially included as evidence in the ongoing investigation. The DM noted that the administration’s report will enable the state government to initiate steps for their repatriation.
