Two workers from Telangana go missing in Thailand

On November 11, the duo went to Thailand in search of employment and they were in touch with family members up to November 21. Later, there was no response from them and their mobile phones were also switched off.

Jagtial: Two labourers from Jagtial and Nizamabad districts have been reported in Thailand, where they had gone in search of employment. Shenigarapu Aravind from Mohanraopet, Korutla mandal of Jagtial and Kondra Sagar from Chetpalli, Morthad mandal of Nizamabad were said to have gone missing from November 21.

On November 11, the duo went to Thailand in search of employment and they were in touch with family members up to November 21. Later, there was no response from them and their mobile phones were also switched off.

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Aravind and Sagar went to Thailand with the help of an agent Raju from Atmakur of Metpalli mandal. Raju, who charged Rs.2 lakh from each person, took them to Thailand on a visit visa promising permanent jobs after some time. However, they went missing after 10 days. Panicking over the incident, family members of the missing workers gave a representation to officials at the Pravasi Prajavani in Hyderabad, requesting them to take necessary steps to trace Aravind and Sagar and bring them back to India.

Based on the complaint, Morthad police registered a case and began investigation by taking the agent into custody.

This is not the first time that workers from here have gone missing abroad, especially in Gulf countries. Agents take workers to various Gulf countries on visit visas promising them permanent jobs. HOwever, most of these agents wash their hands off them soon after reaching there. After visit visa expires, they have to return to India, but since they went there for work, they stay there illegally and work illegally. Many have been arrested and jailed following this, their relatives here said.

Unable to work and return without their documents, some migrant workers were also eking out alms at temples and other places abroad, Gulf JAC secretary Swadesh Parikipandla told Telangana Today, adding that the State government should focus on Gulf agents, who were taking labourers to other countries in illegal methods.