Kashmiri Nurse Detained in Saudi Arabia: Family Seeks CM's Intervention
The father of a 29-year-old Kashmiri man detained by Saudi authorities in Dammam nearly two weeks ago announced plans to meet Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday to seek urgent intervention for his son's release. The family expressed deep distress over the complete lack of official information regarding his whereabouts.
Details of the Detention
Amjad Ali Bhat, a resident of Baramulla, was detained on March 25 from a health facility in Dammam where he worked as a nurse specialist, according to his family. Amjad had joined the Saudi-based company in June last year, but since his detention, the family has been struggling to ascertain where he is being held or the reasons behind his arrest.
His father, Ghulam Ali Bhat, revealed that neither the Indian embassy in Riyadh nor Saudi authorities have provided the family with any information so far. He added that even representatives from the company where Amjad worked have failed to clarify the situation, leaving the family in a state of extreme anxiety.
Family's Desperate Plea
"We will meet the Chief Minister on Thursday to seek his intervention for Amjad's safe release," Ghulam Ali Bhat stated. "The whole family is under extreme distress as the representatives of his company are also not clearing the air over his whereabouts. We just hope that he is released as soon as possible."
Suspected Reason for Detention
Earlier, Amjad's sister Shahida indicated that the family suspects he may have been detained over a Facebook post dated March 3 that paid tribute to the late Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The post, which remains visible on his Facebook account, featured the leader's photograph along with the caption, 'Iran's not imp. Islam is important: Khamenei.'
Communication Breakdown
The family first learned about Amjad's detention from his roommate and colleague from Tamil Nadu on March 25, when they called his number as part of their routine contact. Since that day, they have been attempting without success to obtain clear information through official channels. This prolonged uncertainty has subjected the family to severe emotional stress, compounding their worries about Amjad's safety and well-being.
The case highlights the challenges faced by Indian expatriates abroad and the critical need for diplomatic and governmental support in such situations. The family's appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah underscores their reliance on political intervention to navigate this complex international predicament.
