HYDERABAD: Malaysian immigration authorities have detained about 350 Indians, including 80 from Telangana, for lack of proper documentation, The Indians are now stranded in the country for 10 days.
Malaysian officials detained them after they landed at the Kuala Lumpur airport on November 30, after they were found to be not carrying proper documents. According to sources, approximately 80 people from various districts in Telangana had approached travel agents seeking employment abroad. The agents arranged for a Malaysian visit visa.
Dandgula Mallesh told Deccan Chronicle via WhatsApp call from Kuala Lumpur Airport that they sent an email to the Indian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur four days ago but received no response. According to him, immigration officials had transported the workers to an isolated location. "We don't have Internet access to make calls or send emails. We are unable to contact Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind due to network issues," he said.
Mallesh said the migrant workers were duped by the travel agents. “We are eager to return to India and seek help for our safe return. Our cell phone numbers are not working here. We are available only on Whatsapp”, he explained.
Meanwhile, Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind raised the issue of stranded migrant workers with the ministry of external affairs (MEA) in New Delhi. Union external affairs ministry S. Jaishankar directed the Indian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to rescue the workers. The MP also spoke with Indian High Commissioner B.N. Reddy in Kuala Lumpur, and an embassy team rushed to the location where Indian workers were being detained.
