Most youths in Riyadh jail sick: Kin

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 6

Family members of 14 youths, who had been in a Riyadh jail for three months, are worried about their safety. Most of the youths are from Mandi district who were lured by two local travel agents to provide jobs abroad.

The youths left for Saudi Arabia on July 18 this year to earn money.

According to family members, many of them are in the Riyadh jail and are sick. They are being deprived of medical facilities that has worried the family members.

Saroj Kumari (35), whose husband Harjinder Singh is among those in the jail, said, “We are worried about his safe return. The Centre should take prompt action.”

“My husband told me about the ill-health of others and they need immediate medical aid. But the jail authorities are paying no heed to the victims, which is a violation of human rights,” she said.

“We urge Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to take up the matter with the Centre for the safe return of all youths. At the same time, the families demanded strict punishment for local travel agents,” they said.

According to family members, the local travel agents had charged Rs 90,000 each to send them aboard. Many of them had borrowed money to pay the amount.

Lal Singh, whose son Ravi Kant is also trapped at Riyadh, said, “Three youths were taken back by their owners forcefully, which raised worries. The families of the victims are living in distress.”