Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 19
Nine Naga women working in Amritsar, Punjab were allegedly prevented from leaving their rented apartment by their landlord for failing to pay rent. According to reports, the women were “rescued” on May 18 after the Punjab Police intervened.
Other sources however said that the girls were not held hostage as initially reported. The Nodal Officer for Nagaland domiciles stranded in other states Shanavas C said that there was “some issues with the house rent” and they were not exactly held hostage. According to him, Nagaland government officials got in touch with counterparts in Punjab and the matter was sorted out.
Naga student sources in Punjab said that the women were working in a hotel in Amritsar and were stranded without salary for two months owing to the nationwide lockdown. They were also facing difficulty to procure provisions since the first week of April. The Naga Students’ Union, Phagawara and the Naga Christian Fellowship (NCF), Jalandhar helped them out with essentials.
But there was the issue of pending rent for two months with the landlord insisting on it. On May 18, they were to go out to get essentials but found the entrance gate locked from outside by the landlord. They sought help through the NCF and the Church of North India, which in turn contacted the police.
The sources said that through the police intervention, the women’s employer released their salaries. “With the salaries released, they paid off the pending rent and the matter was settled,” he said.
He added that the women will be evacuated to a lodge run by the CNI on May 19.
