In touch with MEA to bring back migrant workers kidnapped in Africa: State govt

Ranchi: At the directives of chief minister Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand govt on Monday moved to ensure safe return of five migrant workers of Giridih district who were abducted in west African nation Niger where they went to work with a power transmission company. Soren has also sought the external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar's intervention for the safe return of the abducted workers.

"Union External Affairs Minister, Honourable @Dr S Jaishankar Ji is requested to please provide help to our migrant brothers from Jharkhand who have been kidnapped in Niger as per information," Soren posted on X.

On April 25 (Friday), the five workers were kidnapped by some armed individuals, and since the abduction, their whereabouts have not been known, causing concern among their families. Two days later, former Bagodar MLA Vinod Kumar Singh informed the state migrant control room about the kidnapping and disappearance of five migrant workers from the villages of Dondlo and Mundro, both under Bagodar police station in Giridih. Mentioning the names of the migrant workers and their passports, a request was made for prompt and safe return action. All the abducted workers were employed in the transmission project of a company working in the transmission line sector in Niger.

"The state migrant control room promptly contacted the project head /country manager of the company to obtain updated information about the incident. According to the information, all the workers were employed in the Telabari area, 25–30 km away from the company site. It was entirely a military operation, involving a total of 26 local and 12 workers from other countries. Reports indicate that 12 people have died in this incident," the state govt said in statement on Monday.

"The local company, the governor's office, the Indian ambassador, and the Indian embassy are actively working on this matter. The State Migrant Control Room verified the case on April 28 and sent an email to the Protector of Emigrants, Ranchi, the Indian embassy, and the Ministry of External Affairs, requesting immediate action for the safe return of the five workers as a priority," the state govt said.

"Today, the Indian embassy and the company once again held discussion on the matter with the state migrant control room. It was informed through email that the Indian embassy in Niger is aware of the unfortunate incident and is addressing the matter with the relevant Niger authorities to ensure the safe and prompt release of the citizens," the statement said.