Family of local man stranded in Iraq alleges govt inaction

Family of Balbir Chand, a resident of Selkiana village on Rahon road, “kidnapped” by the ISIS in Iraq, on Thursday alleged that the state government was not doing enough to get him back.

Family of Balbir Chand, a resident of Selkiana village on Rahon road, “kidnapped” by the ISIS in Iraq, on Thursday alleged that the state government was not doing enough to get him back.

The family had lost connection with Chand in June and now his wife, children and other relatives are worried about his safety.

The fear-stricken family has alleged that despite repeated reminders, the government had not taken any action in the matter.

Chand, 47, had gone to Iraq in 2010 to earn money for betterment of his family. He had worked with GSS Steel Company, Mosul.

“I had a brief conversation with my husband on June 16. He had told me that he along with other labourers was trapped in the factory and the militant groups had cornered off the city,” said Babli, wife of Chand.

“I had called Chand on his mobile phone in July, but someone else had picked up the phone and was talking in a foreign language that I didn't understand,” she rued.

Babli feared that the militants had held his husband captive along with other Indian workers. Shinderpal Singh, Chand's brother, said Chand was a lone breadwinner in the family.

The family was forced to sell the milk of the buffalo that it reared to meet their daily needs. He said Harjit Masih of Gurdaspur who returned from Iraq had told them that the militants had killed 39 Indians there.

He further said the government should come clear over the safety of Indians stranded in Iraq. If something untoward had happened with them the government should compensate their families.