Jharkhand migrant killed in Saudi Arabia crossfire: Govt works to repatriate body

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : After the death of 26-year-old Vijay Kumar Mahato, a resident of Dumri block in Jharkhand's Giridih district, in a crossfire in Saudi Arabia, his body may soon be brought to India. The Jharkhand government's labor department has initiated the process and has contacted the Indian Embassy in Jeddah.

On October 16, there was an encounter between the police and an extortion gang in Jeddah, in which Vijay Mahato was shot dead. He was working in a private company in Saudi Arabia for the last nine months. Shikha Lakra, officer in charge of the Migrant Control Cell of the Labour Department, said that after receiving information from Giridih, the department immediately contacted the Indian Embassy. She said, "We are in constant touch with the Jeddah Police to complete the formalities, so that Vijay's body can be sent to his native village as soon as possible."

According to social activist Sikandar Ali, Vijay Mahato sent a WhatsApp message to his wife, Basanti Devi, on October 16th, informing her that he was caught in the crossfire and injured. Basanti Devi informed the family of this, but everyone assumed he was undergoing treatment. Later, on October 24th, the company announced Vijay's death. A wave of grief swept through Vijay Mahato's native village, Dudhpaniya, Madh Gopali Panchayat (Dumri Block). Villagers and family members have demanded that the government bring Vijay's body back to India as soon as possible and provide adequate compensation to the family. The government has assured that all formalities are underway to bring the body back to India as soon as possible.