Taking cognizance of a group of people from Odisha forcibly locked in Dubai, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan, has written to the Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar for swift action. In his letter, Pradhan wrote “I come across on OTV News report dated 30.05.2019 regarding some Odia people who are stranded in Dubai. On further enquiry it is revealed that 10 people who were working in the company Asia Pacific Building Contracting LLC, Dubai and accommodated at Sajja, Sharjah are kept captive.”
As per the letter, the people held hostage had also released a video; about a month back, asking for help for their immediate repatriation. However, their mobile numbers were now deactivated. “It has been ascertained that these men belong to Nayagarh and Ganjam districts of Odisha. A select few documents namely copy of the passport of one person Shri Pratap Maharana, Phone No. of one person as 971588957816, a copy of commercial license of the company etc. are available. Copies of these relevant documentary proofs are enclosed herewith for ready reference. Further it is stated that District Labour Officer of Nayagarh has also visited the house of some of the victims, however there is no progress in the matter yet. The request is for immediate repatriation of these victims to India,” he wrote in the letter.
The minister requested for personal intervention of the Minister of External Affairs and take up the matter with the concerned officials for early release of these people on humanitarian grounds.