A chilling account has come from Langdao village in Nawanshahr district, where the relatives of 32-year-old Jaspal Singh are in distress after discovering that he, together with two other youths from Punjab, has been kept hostage in Iran for almost a month.
Jaspal, who came to Australia in hope of better job prospects, allegedly gave Rs 18 lakh to an agent, Dheeraj Atwal. Rather than reaching his destination, Jaspal was initially detained in Dubai for a long time. Subsequently, he was brought to Iran, where, as per his relatives, he landed up in the clutches of a group of Pakistani nationals.
The kidnappers have reportedly asked for a ransom of Rs 54 lakh from the relatives of the three hostages. Narendra Kaur, Jaspal's mother, revealed her ordeal, saying, "My son has been a hostage since May 1 in Iran. They have been torturing him, threatening him through video calls, and asking for money. They have also physically beaten him. Even after 29 days, we have no idea where he is. Our whole family is in fear and anxiety."
Jaspal's wife and parents are desperately seeking the Punjab government's assistance. Narendra Kaur added that Hoshiarpur's SSP rang up the family, heard out their plight, and said that action would be taken against the concerned travel agent.
In Mohali, in a release, the NRI Department DSP confirmed, "The Punjab Government is making all the efforts to bring these children back home safely. Raids are being carried out to arrest the agents involved, and we are in constant liaison with the Central Government to ensure safe repatriation of the children."
The case has brought out the risks that agents of foreign employment pose and the need for regulation of travel agents at the earliest.
Key statements
- Narendra Kaur (Jaspal's Mother):
"My son has been kidnapped and tortured for 29 days. We appeal to the government to rescue him and bring him back home."
- NRI, DSP, Mohali: "Rescue efforts for the hostages are underway. We are also coordinating with central agencies and escalating action against the perpetrators."
The family and the whole village are waiting to hear good news, praying for the safe return of the youths, including Jaspal.