After nearly eight months of uncertainty and anxiety, five migrant workers from Jharkhand who were abducted in the West African nation of Niger have safely returned to India, bringing immense relief and joy to their families.
The safe release and repatriation of the workers have been confirmed by labour department officials. Since the news reached their homes, a wave of happiness has swept through their families, who had been relentlessly seeking their release for months.
The workers — Faljit Mahato, Raju Mahato, Sanjay Mahato, Chandrika Mahato of Dondlo Panchayat under Bagodar block, and Uttam Mahato of Mundro — had been working for a tower line project under a private company in Niger.
They were kidnapped on April 25, 2025, by armed assailants while at their worksite. Following the incident, their families had lost all direct contact with them.
The issue had drawn significant political attention, with the matter being raised in both the Lok Sabha and the Jharkhand Assembly. CPI(ML) MP Sudama Prasad, Bagodar MLA Nagendra Mahato, Nirsa MLA Arup Chatterjee, and local MP and Union Minister Annapurna Devi had pressed the Centre to intervene.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren had also sought assistance from Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
The released workers' family members expressed cautious happiness, saying they were informed by an official over the phone about their kin’s release and return to India.
According to officials, the workers are currently in Mumbai and are expected to return to Jharkhand within the next three to four days.
Families who had spent months appealing to authorities and living in fear are now awaiting the physical homecoming of their loved ones, marking the end of a long and painful ordeal.
Also read: Justice MS Sonak takes oath as Chief Justice of Jharkhand HC
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