3 men trapped in Riyadh reach India

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 9

Three Mandi district residents, who were released from Riyadh jail in Saudi Arabia, reached India on Sunday.

The family members have heaved a sigh of relief. Among those released are Harjinder Singh of Bhojpur, Ashwani Sankhyan of Dadoh and Joginder of Sadhyani.

Saroj Kumari, wife of Harjinder Singh, said her husband called her from Hyderabad airport on Sunday and informed her about his arrival along with two others at the airport.

“I am very happy on return of my husband. We were waiting for him desperately ever since we came to know that he was in trouble in Saudi Arabia,” she said.

In July this year, 14 men from Mandi district were duped by local travel agents who sent them to Saudi Arabia on the promise of providing them lucrative jobs.

They were sent to Saudi Arabia on three months’ tourist visa. Company owner started harassing them and forced them to work on meagre wages for long hours, which distressed them. The company owner also refused to extend their work visa, which put them in a quandary.

Finding no other way, they finally surrendered before the police in Riyadh, who locked them up in jail. As soon this news reached Mandi, the family members of these trapped men got worried. They met CM Jai Ram Thakur and sought his help.

Saroj said: “We are thankful to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Sundernagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal and others who helped us during this tough time and rescued our loved ones. Ten others are still waiting for their return and are in utter distress.”