Police probe reveals migrants’ exploitation in Russia

The recent move by Punjab Police to set up a four-member committee to investigate illegal migration and human trafficking, particularly in the wake of Indian migrants being deported from the USA, has drawn sharp criticism from families of Punjabis who were tricked into serving in the Russian army.

These individuals, who had travelled to Russia with valid documents, were lured with promises of menial jobs but ended up being forced to work on the frontlines in the war against Ukraine.

Jagdeep Kumar, an activist who has been working tirelessly to repatriate Indian youths, including his brother Mandeep Kumar, expressed his concern, saying that many of the young men who went to Russia were deceived into believing they would work as delivery boys, loaders, and general helpers. The sons of labourers and daily wagers had pooled together Rs 2-3 lakh to seize the opportunity. However, upon reaching Russia, they were shocked to learn they were being sent to the war zone.

Kumar pointed out that while the government has focused on those who migrated illegally to the USA with investments of Rs 40-50 lakh, largely from non-marginal families, the plight of these families has been largely ignored. “The government’s actions seem to favour the well-off, while marginal families like ours are left unheard,” he said.

One such family is that of Harpreet Singh from Kale Ghanupur, Amritsar. Harpreet’s father, Narinder Singh, drives a pony cart, and his brother works as a construction laborer. After completing his 10+2, Harpreet took up several low-paying jobs, but the earnings were not enough to sustain the family.

Seeking better prospects to build a pucca house, he decided to go abroad, only to find himself stuck in Donetsk, a city in Russian-controlled Ukraine, where he was forced to work on the frontlines.