Four Indians stranded in Armenia since Dec reach New Delhi

New Kerala, India
Feb 10 2019


  

New Delhi, Feb 9 : Four people from Punjab who were duped by a travel agent and got stranded in Armenia during December 2018 reached the national capital on Saturday.

  

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President Bhagwant Mann had intervened to ensure their return. He received them at Delhi airport after their return. Four people who were stuck in Armenia have reached Delhi today. I thank the Ministry of External Affairs and Sushma ji who worked hard. The Indian embassy took care of them, and provided food and tickets, said Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann.

Police have registered against six fake travel agents. Two of them were arrested but the rest are absconding, Mann said.

According to the victims, a travel agent in Punjab had taken Rs 4 lakh from each of them and promised jobs in Armenia. The agent provided tourist visas.

We went in December with a promise of work permit, said Harman Jeet Singh who hails from Nadala in Punjab. Within four days, we got to know they didn't have work for us. We were told us if we get more people to go Armenia, we will get Rs 50,000 as a commission.

Another victim Shamsher Singh said: They lured us and promised jobs with a monthly salary of Rs 40,000. But once we reached Armenia, there was no work for us.

Mann said he raised the issue in Parliament several times. Sushma ji has also asked the state government to frame laws for travel agents. I am told the same agent sent seven more people to Armenia on January 31.

Mann said if the youth get jobs within India, they would not go elsewhere.