The Jharkhand Labour Department has reached out to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to facilitate the return of the body of a 26-year-old migrant worker from Giridih district, who was killed in a shootout in Jeddah on October 16.
Confirming the development, Shikha Lakra, team leader of the Migrant Control Cell under the state labour department, said the department was informed by officials in Giridih about the tragic incident and immediately contacted the Indian Embassy for assistance.
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“We are coordinating with Jeddah police authorities to complete the necessary formalities and ensure the body is brought back to his family in Jharkhand,” Lakra said.
The deceased has been identified as Vijay Kumar Mahato, a resident of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, Giridih. Mahato had been working as a tower line fitter for a private firm in Jeddah for the past nine months.
Social activist Sikander Ali, who works on migrant welfare issues, said Mahato had sent a distressing WhatsApp voice message to his wife, Basanti Devi, on the day of the incident, saying he was caught in crossfire and had been injured.
“His family initially believed he was receiving treatment, but on October 24, the company informed them that he had died in the shootout,” Ali said. He added that the shootout reportedly occurred during an exchange between Jeddah police and an extortion gang.
Authorities in Jharkhand said all efforts are being made to expedite the repatriation process and provide necessary support to the bereaved family.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
