KOTA: Two labourers from Rajasthan, who had gone to Saudi Arabia for work three years ago, have been held ‘captive’, subjected to inhuman torture for over four months in Yanbu city despite their work agreement expired in November 2020. They are Gaffar Mohammed (49) of Bundi and Vishram Jatav (46) of Bharatpur.
Congress leader Charmesh Sharma, who has so far facilitated safe return of over 400 Indians having been illegally stuck or held in Arabia in past, initiated attempt for their home return and lodged a complaint with the ministry of external affairs on March 20 and also wrote to the authorities concerned demanding immediate action for their safe return.
Sharma said, both had gone to Arabia on work agreement which expired in November 2020 following which they requested their employer to send them back to home in India. Instead of sending them back to home in India, the employers of the company held them captive in abandoned quarter, deprived them of food and moreover subjected them to severely inhuman torture. They somehow managed to survive by eating foods thrown to them out of pity by other labourers of the company from nearby quarters, he said.
Sharma said both managed to send him a video message narrating their plight following which he lodged an online complaint with ministry of external affairs on March 20 and wrote to foreign minister, home minister requesting them to facilitate their return. The MoE, acting on his complaint, directed for action to Indian embassy in Arabia that handed over the matter to consulate general of India in Jeddah Mohammad Alim, but no relief has been given to them. Jatav reportedly fell ill two days ago with one of his legs having turned inactive but he was not given any treatment, he said.