Hyderabad: Karike Anil Kumar, 26, who went to work as a driver in Saudi Arabia is now surviving with the help of his friends, after he fled from his kafil unable to bear his persecution.
Anil Kumar said that he had applied for the amnesty offered by the Saudi Arabian government, but since his passport and other documents are in the custody of the kafil, he is not able to return. He has approached NRI affairs minister K.T. Ramarao for help.
Anil Kumar, hailing from Rajanna Siricilla district, was working as a driver in his village. After his family ran into debts he thought of other jobs and came to know of Gulf countries. With an intention to clear debts, he went to Saudi Arabia to work as a driver in February 2016. Initially everything was smooth and he was paid regularly as per contract. After five months, trouble started when the kafil started forcing him to do other jobs, which included odd jobs. “In addition to this he stopped paying me and attacked me physically. All that I was given to eat for working more than 14 hours a day was a roti,” Anil Kumar said.
Unable to bear the harassment, Anil ran away from the Kafil’s residence. Putting him in more trouble, the Kafil lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Anil had committed theft. Anil who became homeless, came to Jeddah and is staying with some Telugus.
Meanwhile, the Saudi government announced amnesty for illegal migrants. Anil applied for it, but due to the police case against him and as his passport and other documents are in the kafil’s custody he is not able to use the opportunity. Recently he approached KTR through twitter. “The Telangana NRI department contacted me. They assured me help. I am just waiting for a positive response to return home,” Anil said.
