Berhampur: The mortal remains of Kuna Khuntia, a young migrant worker from Odisha’s Ganjam district, arrived at his native village of Naikanipalli under Khallikote block on Thursday, bringing a measure of closure to his grieving family.
The 25-year-old was working as a labourer in a private construction company in Doha for the last five months. He was the sole earning member of his family and regularly sent money home to his parents, helping them manage their financial struggles and debts.
Tragedy struck on March 6, when Khuntia returned to his accommodation at the Argentina Camp after a work shift, had dinner, and went to sleep. He did not wake up the next morning. His messmates took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead, Khuntia’s father Jaya Khuntia, a daily wage labourer, said quoting a friend who informed the family about his death.
“He had been in constant touch with us following the conflict in West Asia. We did not expect such news all of a sudden,” said Runu, mother of the deceased, who had plans to marry him off after his return to the village this year.
Even as the cause of his death was yet to be ascertained, all the family wanted was for his body to be brought back so they could perform his last rites. Media highlighted the family’s plight and their appeals to the Odisha government and local authorities for urgent assistance in coordinating with Qatari officials. The repatriation, however, faced significant delays, heightening anxiety for his family, as the ongoing escalation in the West Asia conflict led to widespread airspace closures and flight suspensions across key hubs, including Doha and Dubai.
Once limited flight services resumed around March 9, arrangements were expedited with government support, allowing the body to be transported back to India and ultimately to Naikanipalli.
Incidentally on Wednesday, the state government has informed the Assembly that it had repatriated the remains of 325 workers who had died abroad in 2024 and 2025. A total of 142 workers, facing torture and ill-treatment at workplaces, were also rescued with assistance from the Ministry of External Affairs. Additionally, 2,133 workers were also rescued from different states during the period.
