The Jharkhand labour department is working with the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to bring home the body of a 26-year-old worker from Giridih. He died in a shootout in Jeddah on October 16.
Shikha Lakra, who leads the Migrant Control Cell, said they received the report from Giridih and took quick action. “We reached out to the Indian Embassy and are coordinating with Jeddah police to complete the legal process,” Lakra told PTI.
The victim, Vijay Kumar Mahato, was from Dudhpaniya village in Dumri block. He had worked for nine months as a tower line fitter in a private company.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato sent a WhatsApp voice message to his wife on the day of the incident. He told her he was caught in crossfire and hurt. His family believed he was in treatment until the company informed them of his death on October 24.
Ali said the shootout involved Jeddah police and an extortion gang. He urged the state government to ensure the body’s return and seek compensation from Saudi authorities for Mahato’s family.
