National
Six aspiring Nepali migrant workers make a narrow escape from Afghanistan
Six aspiring Nepali migrant workers, who made a narrow escape from what they describe as a hostage-like situation in Afghanistan, have came in contact with Delhi-based Nepali Embassy.Devendra Bhattarai
Six aspiring Nepali migrant workers, who made a narrow escape from what they describe as a hostage-like situation in Afghanistan, have came in contact with Delhi-based Nepali Embassy. They were illegally taken to Afghanistan via Delhi transit by unscrupulous human traffickers with a promise of lucrative jobs.
After realising that there were only 12 hours left for the expiry of their one-month visa, six of 21 Nepalis escaped from a house where they were held hostage on Thursday midnight, said an escapee. He added that they reached Kabul Airport and boarded a flight to Delhi after their relatives in Nepal bought ticket for them.
At the Nepali Embassy in Barakhamba Road, New Delhi on Monday, the escapees said that there were 15 more Nepalis trapped near Kabul Airport and were waiting for their rescue. Counselor Yadav Khanal at the Embassy said the Nepalis were illegally taken to Afghanistan by a human trafficking ring.
The Nepalis had paid up to Rs1 million to the agents for security guard jobs, it is learnt.
“We got duped and are on the verge of losing a huge property,” said one of the escapees, Yadav Guragain, a native of Morang district, “We have come to the embassy to spread the message to our Nepali brothers not to dream about coming to Afghanistan.”
According to Yadav, the Delhi-based human trafficking agents are hatching a ploy to send an additional 80 Nepalis to Kabul within a month.
Rudra Pokhrel, who is still entrapped in Kabul, told the Post over telephone that they wanted to return home at any cost. “Fifteen of us are in this hostage room and making our ends meet with the money sent by our relatives from Nepal.” A retired Nepal Police man, Pokhrel added, “It has already been over two months that we are confined in this place and our visas have already expired.”
According to Pokhrel, one of the Nepali agents Shanti Thapa (Mina), who is in Kabul, has gone out of contact for the past one week, while other agents keep telling them over phone that they need not need worry as their work will be done soon.
An official at the embassy said that Afghanistan-related matters are looked after by Pakistan-based Nepali Embassy and it has been duly notified about the incident. The details on the rescue measures are yet to be discussed, the official said.
The Delhi-based Nepali Embassy has to issue ‘no-objection letter’ in favour of Nepali migrant workers aspiring to go to Afghanistan. Then only, the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi will issue visas to the Nepalis. Nepali Embassy is preparing to adopt strict measures while issuing ‘no objection letter’. According to Counsellor Yadav Khanal, since government has not listed Afghanistan as a foreign employment destination, the embassy is planning to issue ‘no-objection letter’ only for formal programmes and US-based employment opportunities in Afghanistan.