Myanmar slave trade: Embassy has washed its hands of, say kin

Image of a slave camp shared by a victim

The relative of an Indian held captive and forced to work in harsh conditions in Myawaddy in Myanmar has alleged that officials at the Indian Embassy in Yangon are not doing anything to rescue him or the other victims of the job racket. In a bid to save his cousin, the Pune-based man flew to Bangkok on September 10 and has been running from pillar to post since then for more than a month. While he paid the ransom and freed his cousin, the latter was caught in Thailand after he and four others released with him crossed the border.

I have been contacting the Embassy of India in Yangon since day one, requesting them to rescue my cousin, but they say it's not in their hands," the Pune-based man alleged.

One of the armed guards on the premises where the Indians are being forced into slavery

"The Embassy officials asked me to look for another plan, ie to pay my cousin's captors to earn his freedom. I had to pay $5,300 (over Rs 4,36,000) to the Chinese captors. I sold my scooty and borrowed money from people to arrange for the amount to rescue my cousin," he added.

Also Read: Myanmar slave trade: Chinese mafia announces bounty on whistleblower

His cousin was promised a job in the sale and purchase of bitcoins. "But soon after landing in Bangkok, he smelt a rat and informed us after reaching Myanmar, where he was taken by the human traffickers,' he said.

Google map of an industrial park in Marvel Khat, Myanmar, where two Dongri men were taken

The ransom was paid on October 15 and his cousin was released by his captors. But his ordeal is far from over.

"The fraudsters dropped him in Mae Sot in Thailand after crossing a river which is the international boundary. A total of five people including four Indians were freed by the Chinese captors in exchange for money. A woman of another nationality is also among them," the Pune-based man said.

Free but held again

After they walked for a few kilometers, the five victims were apprehended by Thai officials who took them to Mae Sot provincial police station. "Their cellphones and belongings were snatched by the Thai officials who charged them for crossing the border illegally. I told the Embassy of India in Yangon that they have been victimised by international gangs of human traffickers and fake job racketeers, but the officials told me that they will have to follow procedure," he added.

"Even after paying the Chinese captors, the victims had to undergo multiple checks and face legal music in Thailand. The five victims were imprisoned for a day. After completion of their legal procedures, the five people were promised they will be deported to their countries. My cousin will be brought to an immigration counter at an airport in Bangkok where I can meet him, only if I have a permission letter from the Indian embassy," he added.

mid-day has been highlighting how the Chinese fraudsters with local Indian agents are enticing youth with lucrative jobs in Thailand and Myanmar through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Telegram.

Embassy's advisory

The Embassy of India in Yangon issued an advisory regarding the fake job racket which is targeting youth trained in IT. "Indian nationals are advised not to get trapped in such fake job offers being floated through social media platforms or other sources. Before travelling on tourist/visit visa for employment purpose, Indian nationals are advised to check/verify credentials of foreign employers through the concerned missions abroad and antecedents of recruiting agents as well as the company before taking up any job offer," reads advisory of October 14.

Rs 4,36,000
Approx amount man paid to free his cousin