Ranchi: A 27-year-old resident of Jharkhand died under tragic circumstances in Saudi Arabia after being caught in a crossfire between a gang of criminals and the police.
His wife was shattered after she received a voice message from him, moments before his passing, saying that he had taken a bullet meant for someone else.
Vijay Kumar Mahato (27), from the Dudhapania village in the Dumri block of the Giridih district, was working for Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company on a transmission line project in Saudi Arabia for nearly a year now.
According to his brother-in-law Ram Prasad Mahato, Vijay was walking near his worksite on October 15 when a gunfight erupted between the police and a gang of extortionists involved in the illegal liquor trade. A stray bullet struck Vijay before he could move to safety..
“Vijay was hit by mistake. He was taken to a hospital where he died during treatment. We came to know of the incident on October 24. Before dying, he even sent a voice note in Kortha to his wife, saying he had been hit by a bullet meant for someone else and was pleading for help,” Ram Prasad said.
Vijay is survived by his wife, two sons aged five and three and his parents. Dumri MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato has taken up the matter with the government.
Shikha Lakra, who heads Jharkhand’s State Migrant Control Cell, confirmed that the government had received a complaint from Jairam Kumar. “The process to bring back his body started today. The matter has been referred to the Protector of Emigrants (Ranchi) and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh for investigation and repatriation,” she said.
Lakra also said that the Jharkhand government is also in touch with Saudi authorities and the employer. Vijay’s family, however, refused to proceed with the repatriation process until Hyundai Engineering provides written assurance of compensation.
“The company must be held responsible. We will not receive the body until we get a written assurance,” Ram Prasad said.
Indian officials in Riyadh said they are dealing with the matter.
