Many daughters from Punjab are falling prey to schemes devised by their own relatives in Gulf countries. These relatives are commodifying family bonds. Girls from impoverished households in Punjab are enticed by relatives with promises of a bright future, painting a rosy picture that captivates both the girls and their parents. This is the beginning of their exploitation. Sadly, Punjab’s daughters ensnared by their own relatives in gulf countries
A similar story unfolded for a girl from Moga district, Punjab, who was sold for 1,000 rials (200,000 Indian rupees) in Muscat, Oman. Once her visa expired, she endured cruel treatment from her own kin. Thanks to the efforts of Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and the Ministry of External Affairs, the victim has safely returned to her family in Punjab.
The victim, who visited Nirmal Kutia Sultanpur Lodhi from Moga with her family, shared that she came from a financially struggling background and went to Oman to support her family’s economic situation. However, her travel agent, who was also a relative, sold her to an Arab family for 1,000 rials (200,000 Indian rupees). She was sent on a one-month visitor visa, despite being promised a three-month visa.
When she arrived at Oman Airport on September 7, 2023, the person who came to receive her forcibly took her phone and passport. She was then confined to an office in a multi-story building three hours away from the airport.
The victim recounted that a Kenyan girl was also with her. She mentioned that as long as her visa was valid, the travel agents took care of her, but as soon as it expired, her hardships began. The travel agents changed their demeanor and started beating her. She fell seriously ill due to an infection from work, and the family she was working for refused to treat her but forced her to continue working.
She said she wasn’t even allowed to contact her family. Despite paying millions of rupees for her return, she was not sent back. She explained that new girls arriving from India are kept separate from those already there, and as soon as their visas expire, they are mistreated. The victim’s husband contacted Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal on May 7, and upon learning about the situation, Seechewal took immediate action, resulting in the girl’s return within a few days.
Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal urged people to avoid sending girls to Gulf countries. He called on Punjab Police officials to listen sympathetically to the cases of girls who have suffered at the hands of travel agents and to make sincere efforts to resolve these issues. He thanked the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy for their support.
The victim expressed her disappointment with the behavior of Punjab Police. When she approached Moga police with her complaint, they threatened her. She mentioned that when she complained, the police officials told her that no action would be taken based on her statements, but only on the statements written by the police. She also alleged that the police officers sided with the travel agent, claiming that the agent had lost money, while questioning her about the money she had given and its source. The victim said she suffered more from the behavior of Punjab Police while seeking justice in her own country than she did from the abuse abroad.