Abhilash, Vimal, Baiju were promised jobs with fat pay.
Biju, Abhilash and Vimal Kumar being received by family members at Thiruvananthapuram international airport on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three Alappuzha youths, who were tortured by their Saudi employer, arrived at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in the wee hours of Saturday.
Emotional scenes were witnessed on their arrival at the airport when parents and relatives rushed towards them, hugged them and cried inconsolably. It was an emotional reunion for the youths who had undergone horrific treatment at the hand of Saudi employer.
Abhilash, Vimal Kumar and Baiju of Haripad, who were promised jobs as electrician-cum-mechanic with big pay packets at a town called Abha, were forced to work in a brick factory. They were deprived of basic facilities, food and accommodation. The youths were tortured when they tried to lodge a complaint.
A large number of people at waited since midnight for the flight which arrived at 3 am. “They used to spit on our faces. If we fail to do the laborious work assigned, they would then beat us up badly. The torture faced by us was there in the video clip sent on whatsapp. They used wooden clubs to beat us mercilessly,” said Baiju.
“Our dreams of earning well and sending back money to support our families have been completely shattered. I have no idea what I will do now. How will I repay the loans taken for building a house,” said Abhishek, 21. Though promised the job of electrician, he was forced to work in a hollow bricks factory.
Vimal’s mother Omanana could not hold back her tears as she thanked profusely, the government, media and all people who worked for the release of her son. “We were completely shattered. But now we are relieved that he has returned safely,” she said.
Similar emotions were expressed by Abhilash’s mother Krishna Kumari. “I thank everyone especially the media for highlighting the plight of my son and others. Had you people not intervened in time, it would have been difficult to secure their release,’’ she added.
A video footage of the torture that was sent on whatsapp to the family members back home was aired by TV channels which led to their rescue.
The state government swung into action with chief minister Oommen Chandy himself getting in touch with the Indian Consul General in Saudi Arabia. NORKA department and Centre worked in close coordination to secure the release of the youth. External Aff-airs Minister Sushma Swaraj extended all he-lp to the state government to seek their release.
The three youths were promised jobs as electrician cum mechanic with big pay packets at a town called Abha. While Baiju went to Saudi Arabia on November 6, the other two left on December 4.
It was only after the youths landed in Saudi Arabia that they realised about the fraud. The employers forced them to work in hollow bricks manufacturing units and carry out loading and unloading work.
Even basic facilities like accommodation and food were denied to them. Since the sponsor had also confiscated their passports, it was not possible to flee the place. Whenever they questioned about the fraud committed on them, the youths were bashed up.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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