Odisha Youth Who Was Held Captive In Cambodia Returns; Narrates His Ordeal

Berhampur: A youth from Odisha, who was held captive   by a company’s agent in Cambodia after refusing to engage in cyber fraud, has finally returned to his native place in Rangeilunda area of Ganjam district.

While extending his gratitude to all those who helped in ensuring his safe return, Dinabandhu Sahu also narrated the ordeal he had to undergo in Cambodia. He said he was held captive for over ten days in a room. “I was confined to a small room. I had lost all hopes and had never thought that I will be able to return,” said Dinabandhu.

Dinabandhu, who hails from Biswanathpur in Rangeilunda block, said that he had come in contact with the agent of a company and was supposed to join as a computer operator with a firm in Vietnam.

All formalities were executed through the company’s agent who took around Rs 1.5 lakh from Dinabandhuj, who was first taken to Vietnam in flight and was later made to work in a company in Cambodia.

Dinabandhu said though he was supposed to work as a computer operator, he was asked to do works of different nature allegedly involving cyber fraud. ”Looking at the nature of the work, I refused to involve myself in such activities and expressed by desire to leave for home,” he said.

When Dinabandhu refused to do the job and wanted to return to India, he was held inside a room by the company and told that he would be released only after his family paid 2500 USD.

Following this, he had appealed to all including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to take measures for his safe return.

After the news about his captivity spread, many people and organisations came forward to help. Dinabandhu said organisations like Global Odia Association in Cambodia played a significant role in ensuring his safe return.