The grieving family of a Jalandhar man, who was tragically killed while fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine after being deceived by travel agents, has joined forces with other affected families to demand a hefty compensation of Rs 5 crore from the authorities. The case highlights a disturbing pattern of young Indians being lured abroad with false promises, only to be pushed into a war zone.
A Fatal Deception and a Family's Anguish
Mandeep Kumar was one of several individuals from the region who were allegedly promised lucrative jobs in Italy. Instead, they were trafficked to Russia and ultimately forced into military service on the front lines of the conflict with Ukraine. While four others managed to return home, Mandeep lost his life in the war. His mortal remains finally reached his hometown of Goraya on Saturday night, but his family is refusing to perform his last rites.
In a powerful act of protest, Mandeep's family has vowed not to cremate him until the travel agents named in a First Information Report (FIR) registered in May 2024 are arrested and brought to justice. "The families came under debt, and they are still paying interest on the loans they received. For our family, it was a double whammy that we came under debt and also lost him," said Mandeep's brother, Jagdeep, capturing the dual tragedy of financial ruin and personal loss.
Mounting Debts and a Unified Demand for Justice
The families of Mandeep and the four other victims have collectively placed a demand for Rs 5 crore in compensation, arguing that the ordeal has left them burdened with loans taken for the ill-fated journey. Their plight has drawn the attention of local authorities and politicians. During the day, Rajya Sabha member Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and Jalandhar Rural SSP H S Virk visited Mandeep's family to offer condolences.
However, the visits did little to assuage the family's grief or their demand for concrete action and financial restitution. The families presented their compensation demand directly to the officials, emphasizing the need for accountability for the agents who orchestrated the deadly scam.
A Call for Action and Systemic Change
This tragic incident underscores a critical vulnerability and the need for stronger mechanisms to protect Indian citizens from international recruitment fraud. The case from Jalandhar is not isolated and points to a network preying on those seeking better opportunities abroad. The firm stance taken by Mandeep's family has turned a personal tragedy into a public appeal for justice, hoping to prevent similar fates for others.
As the authorities investigate the FIR, the nation watches to see if the travel agents will be apprehended and if the families' call for substantial compensation will be heeded. The resolution of this case will set a significant precedent for how India addresses and mitigates such dangerous exploitation of its citizens overseas.
