Ganjam Family Appeals for Return of Migrant Worker's Body from Doha
The family members of a migrant worker from Naikanipalli village in Ganjam district's Khallikote block have made an urgent appeal to the district administration. They are requesting special arrangements to bring back the body of their loved one who died at his workplace in Doha, Qatar, two days ago.
Tragic Death of Young Laborer
The deceased has been identified as Kuna Khuntia, aged 25. He had been working as a laborer for a private construction company in Doha for approximately five months. According to reports, Khuntia returned from his duty on Friday night and went to sleep as usual. However, in the morning, he did not wake up.
Other residents in his mess immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. The exact cause of death remains unknown and is pending medical reports.
Family's Heartbreaking Plea
"We don't know how he died. We request the government to bring back his body for the last rite," said Jaya Khuntia, the father of the deceased. He emphasized that the cause of death would only be determined after receiving the official medical report.
Kuna Khuntia was unmarried and had been the sole breadwinner for his family. His mother, Runu, expressed profound grief, stating, "We did not expect such sad news. He was the only bread earner of our family." She added that her son had maintained constant contact with the family since the West Asia conflict began, making his sudden death even more shocking.
Local and Administrative Response
Mithun Khuntia, the local sarpanch, confirmed that they have approached the tehsildar of Khallikote to facilitate arrangements for bringing the body back from Qatar to their village. Meanwhile, District Labour Officer (DLO) of Chhatrapur, Barsarani Jena, provided an update on the administrative proceedings.
"We have conducted a preliminary inquiry on Monday about his death after receiving a request from his family members," Jena stated. "We have also recorded the statements of his family members. We will submit the inquiry report to the state's labour commissioner soon through the district collector to take further steps."
Broader Context of Migration
This tragic incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers from the region. Approximately 30 people from Naikanipalli village are currently working in West Asia as laborers, underscoring the economic dependence on overseas employment. The case has drawn attention to the need for robust support systems for families of migrant workers during such crises.
The family's appeal underscores the emotional and logistical challenges involved in repatriating bodies of migrant workers who die abroad, particularly in regions like West Asia where many from Ganjam district seek employment opportunities.
