Injured Migrant Worker Returns Home From Malaysia In Ambulance

NIZAMABAD: A migrant worker who was seriously injured, returned home safely in an ambulance due to collective efforts of social activists and the Indian High Commission (IHC) in Malaysia on Thursday. Pathkuri Linga Reddy of Ergatla in Nizamabad district was stranded in Malaysia for the last one year. In search of livelihood, he went to Malaysia, but was cheated by the travel agents and middlemen.

Varshakonda based Gulf agent provided visit visa to Patkuri Linga Reddy assuring him a suitable job in Malaysia. Being an illegal immigrant, he had faced a lot of distressing circumstances in Malaysia and a few private companies denied wages to him. Meanwhile, he was injured in a bus accident in Malaysia and was bedridden. Due to health and financial problems, he was unable to reach home from Malaysia.

Family members of Linga Reddy approached TPCC NRI cell convener Sheik Chand Pasha for the safe return of Linga Reddy. Pasha brought the issue to the notice of Telangana state government, Union ministry of external affairs and Indian High Commission in Malaysia. Balkonda Assembly constituency Congress party in-charge M. Sunil Reddy provided flight tickets to Linga Reddy from Malaysia.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Bharatiya Telugu Association of Malaysia (BTAM) leader Jabilli Choppari Satya Laxmikanth said that for the last two-and-a-half months they provided shelter to the injured Linga Reddy in Malaysia. After coordinating with IHC officials in Malaysia, a white passport was issued for Linga Reddy, he said. Linga Reddy was saved from Ipoh and brought safely to Kuala Lumpur, he added. The Indian community spent Rs 1.20 lakh for safe return of the victim, he said.

Meanwhile, Patkuri Linga Reddy reached Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad on Thursday and in an ambulance he reached his native Ergatla village. The family members and villagers received him and expressed grief over his pathetic situation.