New Delhi:
Five migrant workers of Jharkhand, who were working in Niger – have been allegedly abducted by a country in West Africa, demanding government intervention with their families.
The incident occurred last week when a group of armed criminals raided a camp, where they were working and allegedly kidnapped six people, including a local, at gunpoint. During the firing, several security personnel also retaliated, causing 12 officers to die, the families of the kidnapping victims said.
There are five migrants – Sanjay Mahato, Chandrika Mahato, Raju Mahato, Faljit Mahato and Uttam Mahato. All the workers are residents of Dondlo and are under Giridih district in Mundro Panchayat Jharkhand of Bagodar police station.
He moved to Niger last year to work in a transmission company – Kalpavar Transmission Limited (KPTL).
A family member of the kidnapping victim said, “We do not know anything about their hideout. I request the government to intervene and bring them back.”
Faljit Kumar Maho’s brother Damodar Kumar said, “On April 25, some bike-borne criminals came and took them away. Since then, his phone has been closed.” He appealed to the government to take steps to find them and ensure their safe return to India.
The wife of Sanjay Maho said, “My husband Sanjay Maho went to Niger to work. The last time I received a call from him, his phone was closed on Friday, after which his phone was closed. We have been told by others working with him that he has been kidnapped.”
After the incident came to light, former MLA from Bagodar, Vinod Kumar Singh met the families of the abducted workers and assured them of efforts to bring five people back home. Officials said that they also informed senior officials about the incident and demanded action.
Narendra Prasad Gupta, the magistrate of the sub-division, said, “We have informed the senior officer as well as a foreign cell from here. Since there is not much in the Indian media about this, we are still looking for everything at our level. We are also wishing for the safety of all and the administration stands with the family of all,” the magistrate of the sub-division, Narendra Prasad Gupta.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday demanded the intervention of External Affairs Minister in the issue.
He wrote in a post on X, “Union Foreign Minister, Honorable @DR S Jaishankar Ji is requested to provide help to our migrant brothers from Jharkhand, who have been kidnapped in Niger as per the information.”
