Chandigarh: Eight youths from Punjab, mostly from Rupnagar district, have been stranded in Kazakhstan after allegedly being duped by local travel agents who promised them lucrative driving jobs abroad.
Upon reaching Kazakhstan, the youths were reportedly forced to work in harsh, inhumane conditions. A video showing them working as labourers in snow-covered areas has gone viral on social media.
According to reports, the stranded youths are facing severe starvation, mistreatment, and freezing temperatures. They are allegedly made to carry heavy loads over long distances in hilly terrain and forced to live in cramped metal compartments without adequate food or basic facilities.
The plight of the youths came to light after one of them, Harvinder Singh from Nangal, managed to contact BJP district president Ajay Veer Singh Lalpura. In an emotional phone call, Harvinder pleaded for help and described the dire conditions they were enduring.
The victims have been identified as Manjit Singh, Amarjit Singh, Hardeep Singh, Avtar Singh and Harvinder Singh, among others. They alleged that they were deceived by a local travel agent who lured them with promises of well-paid jobs and a better life abroad.
Authorities are expected to take up the matter for further investigation and to facilitate their safe return.
