‘Treated worse than animals’: 12 labourers from UP reportedly stranded in Kyrgyzstan; families allege fraud by local agents

Twelve labourers from Pilibhit, reportedly stranded and facing harassment in Kyrgyzstan, are at the centre of a detailed report submitted by the district administration to the Uttar Pradesh Home Department, officials said on Friday.

District magistrate Gyanendra Singh stated that the report was prepared following a directive from the Home Department, which had asked for factual details and instructed the Superintendent of Police to conduct an inquiry.




“Information about all 12 persons stranded in Kyrgyzstan has been compiled and sent to the government so that the due process can be initiated for their safe return,” Singh was quoted as saying by PTI.

The families identified the workers as Ravi Kumar, Ajay, Chandrapal, Santram, Rohit, Ramesh, Harswaroop, Shyamcharan, Sanjeev, Prempal, Ramasare, and Harishankar, saying they were sent to Kyrgyzstan nearly three months ago by agents of a local recruitment agency. Each worker reportedly paid around Rs 2.5 lakh and was sent on a 59-day visa under “misleading contracts,” relatives claimed.

The families alleged that the men are being forced to work in different cities, denied adequate food, and prevented from returning home. They further claimed the workers were being beaten and treated “worse than animals.”

Families of the stranded labourers have alleged that the men are being tortured abroad, and that local agents are demanding up to Rs 2 lakh for their return. The workers have also been sending video messages to their families, pleading for rescue.

Relatives have repeatedly approached police and administrative officials for assistance. Earlier this week, several family members met with Singh and superintendent of police Abhishek Yadav to recount the ordeal.

Officials stated that all 12 workers want to return to India as soon as possible, and their video appeals have been included in the ongoing investigation. According to the district magistrate, the administration’s report will assist the state government in taking steps to facilitate their repatriation, PTI.

SP Abhishek Yadav confirmed that the case has been assigned to CO City Deepak Chaturvedi for investigation. He said the families have submitted written complaints alleging that a local firm operating from a city colony, along with its representatives, played a role in sending the workers abroad on false promises.