Daijiworld Media Network - Pilibhit
Pilibhit, Dec 6: The Pilibhit district administration has submitted a detailed report to the state Home Department on the case of 12 labourers from the district who are reportedly stranded and facing severe harassment in Kyrgyzstan, officials confirmed on Friday.
District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh said the report was compiled after the Home Department sought comprehensive factual details and directed the Superintendent of Police to initiate a probe.
“Information about all 12 persons stranded in Kyrgyzstan has been compiled and sent to the government, so that due process can be initiated for their safe return,” the DM told PTI.
Families of the stranded workers have accused local recruitment agents of demanding up to Rs 2 lakh to bring them back to India. Several video messages sent by the labourers from abroad, pleading for rescue, have intensified concerns.
Over the past week, distressed relatives have been repeatedly visiting government offices seeking immediate intervention. Earlier, family members met DM Singh and SP Abhishek Yadav, narrating the alleged torture their loved ones are being subjected to.
The workers have been identified as Ravi Kumar, Ajay, Chandrapal, Santram, Rohit, Ramesh, Harswaroop, Shyamcharan, Sanjeev, Prempal, Ramasare and Harishankar.
According to relatives, the men were sent nearly three months ago on a 59-day visa with “misleading job contracts” by agents running a private recruitment agency. Each of them reportedly paid around Rs 2.5 lakh.
Families alleged the labourers are being forced to work in different cities of Kyrgyzstan, denied proper food, and threatened against returning home. Claims of physical assault and being treated “worse than animals” have also surfaced.
SP Abhishek Yadav confirmed that the matter has been handed over to City CO Deepak Chaturvedi for a thorough investigation. Written complaints have also been lodged against a firm operating from a local colony, suspected of sending them abroad on false promises.
Officials said the workers have expressed a strong desire to return to India, and their video appeals have been added to the case file. The administration’s report is expected to enable the state government to initiate repatriation measures at the earliest, DM Singh added.