Fate of 41 Indian workers abducted in Iraq unknown
Mangalore Today News Network
Chandigarh, August 13, 2014: The fate of 41 Indian construction workers, who were reportedly abducted by ISIS militants on June 14, is still unknown. While the relatives and the Union government think they are alive, sources say they might have been killed by the militants.
Parwinder Singh (26)-a resident of Hoshiarpur who worked with the same construction company, Tariq Noor Al-Huda, and whose brother Kuldeep (28) was also abducted along with 41 others-told Mail Today that the chances of their survival are "50-50" as they were non-Muslims.
Moreover, the American strikes targeting ISIS hideouts have increased the danger to their lives, if they are still in captivity.
According to Parwinder, a total of 42 Indians were abducted by ISIS militants. Among the Indians, three each hailed from Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal, and two from Bihar. A total of 34 Indians were from Punjab, and of them one Ramesh Masih had managed to escape.
Three of Parwinder’s family members, including his elder brother Kamaljit Singh (28), brothers-in-law Gulwinder Singh (27) and Gurdeep (28) are among the abducted Indians.
Parwinder said he has been getting conflicting reports about the whereabouts of the abducted Indians, including his relatives, causing much concern among the families. "We pray to god that they are safe.
However, the chances are 50-50 now. I was in constant touch with some former colleagues who were sharing information about the abducted Indians. Now I have lost contact with them. I had spoken to my brother on June 15.
His phone did not respond thereafter. When I tried to speak to one Balwant Rai of Jalandhar, who is among the abducted Indians, his phone was answered by an ISIS militant," Parwinder said.
"I brought the matter to the notice of Union government, including Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and had asked her to find out the location of mobile phones. But nothing was done," Parwinder claimed.
Considering Parwinder’s experience in Iraq, the ministry of external affairs officials had also called him to Delhi. Parwinder had also met Swaraj last week and is also in contact with the affected families. These families, along with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, had met Swaraj on June 19 who had assured help. However, MEA sources say there is no information about the abducted Indians. However, officials claim they are safe.
However, according to Ban-gladesh resident Jamaal Khan, the abducted Indians might have been killed. Khan had earlier stated to mediaperson in June that 53 Bangladeshis and around 40 Indians worked together with Tariq Noor Al-Huda.
Courtesy : India Today