Sangli youth promised jobs in Malaysia, end up as ‘slaves’

Two people were arrested in Sangli after a complaint was lodged against them alleging that five people they sent to Malaysia under the guise of employment were treated like slaves.

Two people were arrested in Sangli after a complaint was lodged against them alleging that five people they sent to Malaysia under the guise of employment were treated like slaves.

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Santosh More, the brother of one of the victims lodged a complaint against Islampur-based Unique Placement Service promising people jobs as supervisors in Malaysia.

The victims, residents of neighbouring Satara district, approached the placement service in December 2009.

The accused, Dildar Shinde and Houserao Dange, took Rs 80,000 from the victims and arranged for their passports and visas. They were sent to Malaysia from Chennai on January 11.

Assistant Police Inspector Ashok Kadam said that the five victims were allegedly taken to a dense jungle in Malaysia while their passports and visas were forcibly taken away.

They were forced to do odd jobs and treated like slaves, the complaint alleged, adding that the victims were also threatened when they expressed a desire to return to India.

One of the victims managed to contact his sister using a cell phone he had hidden in a lunch box. Relatives of the victims have approached Home Minister R R Patil, requesting him to facilitate the victim’s return.