Owaisi Urges Immediate Action to Rescue 16 Indians in Myanmar

Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Member of Parliament from Hyderabad, has called on External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take urgent action to rescue 16 Indian nationals trapped on the border between Myanmar and Thailand. Owaisi’s appeal follows an alarming message he received from one of the captives, detailing their harsh conditions.

On January 22, 2024, Owaisi shared on social media that the group, which includes three individuals from Hyderabad, had been promised employment opportunities in Thailand. Instead, they found themselves taken to a remote border area, where they are reportedly subjected to forced labor. The captives are said to endure workdays of 18 to 20 hours, face physical abuse, and are deprived of essential items such as passports, mobile phones, and medical care.

The distress call originated from Mir Sajjad Ali, a resident of Osman Nagar in Hyderabad. According to Owaisi, two others in the group are from Maula Ali and Banjara Hills, indicating a troubling trend of exploitation targeting vulnerable individuals seeking employment abroad.

Owaisi emphasized the need for prompt governmental intervention to ensure the safe return of all affected Indian nationals. This incident highlights a growing concern regarding the safety of Indian citizens abroad, particularly in regions where they may become victims of human trafficking and exploitation.

The Indian government has previously acted to repatriate over 1,500 citizens from Thailand, many of whom were lured by fraudulent job offers and subsequently forced into illegal online activities. Notably, in November 2023, 11 Indians from Telangana were rescued from Thailand, and an additional 55 individuals from Andhra Pradesh, primarily from Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, were brought back after detention in cybercrime hubs located in Myanmar.

The Andhra Pradesh government has been proactive in offering assistance to those repatriated, helping them tackle financial and logistical challenges resulting from their captivity. Over the past year, 79 individuals rescued from the Myanmar cybercrime network have received support from the state to ensure their safe return home.

Owaisi’s appeal underscores not only the immediate need for action regarding the trapped individuals but also the broader issue of Indian citizens being exploited overseas. He has called for the government to act swiftly to secure the release of those still in peril, reflecting a growing urgency for protective measures for citizens seeking work abroad.