Dimapur, July 16 (MExN): One person has died while ten more youths from Wokha district lured to Mumbai on promises of jobs but left in dire straits, were rescued by Naga Christian and students’ organizations, it was informed today. A joint statement from the Naga Christian Fellowship of Chennai and Naga Students’ Union of Chennai named four persons – including one apparently non-local woman – from villages in Wokha as being the agents involved in the fraud.
The deceased was identified Bidemo Ngullie, son of Nzanbemo Ngullie of Changsu Village under Wokha district. The youths were stated to have been found in dire conditions, hungry unpaid and malnourished. The other rescued ten youths were identified as one Libanthung Odyuo, an Abel Odyuo, one Echungbemo Ngullie, a Jonas Patton, one Yanzomo Patton, an Atheo Ngullie, one Renbenthung Ngullie, an Aremo Odyuo, one Mhonbemo Ngullie and a Meribemo Odyuo.
The two organizations informed today that the “agents” duped the unemployed youths from Nagaland by promising them good jobs in Chennai. The frauds promised the 11 youths free food and lodging along with a monthly salary of Rs. 6000 to Rs. 7000. The crooks even demanded Rs. 10,000 to 10,600 from each of the individuals, the NCFC and NSUC said.
The organizations stated: “They then brought them (the youths) to Chennai by train and find them jobs as security guards with no free foods or decent lodging. They made them live in a small room where the employers also cut house rent from their salaries. They do not even get their promised salaries and facilities. Due to unhygienic living condition, long working hours and improper nourishment, one of the youths, Mr. Bidemo Ngullie, s/o Nzanbemo Ngullie of Changsu Village under Wokha district fell sick. The Nagas in Chennai heard about the incident and they immediately admitted him to Royapettah Government Hospital, Chennai from where he passed away on 6th July after battling for life for around one week. He was finally transported home on 7th July.”
When the NCFC and NSUC came to know about the Naga youths, they promptly visited them only to find them in a shabby condition, even without a food to eat. “The NCFC and NSUC therefore started providing them food till the day they were sent home on 12 July, 2010,” the organizations informed. The train fares and pocket money were also borne by the two organizations.
The pastor of NCFC Pastor Wapangtoshi and president of NSUC Lopen Pongen have appealed to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the NBCC, the NMM, the Naga Hoho, the Naga Mothers’ Association and the NSF to spread awareness about such increasing trends to which Naga youths are falling prey to. .The NSUC has also asked every member of the Naga community to register themselves as members of the NSUC. “The NSUC will not be held responsible for those unregistered members of NSUC for any problems that arise in and around Chennai,” the statement said.
Earlier in May 2008, in a similar incident, the NSUC and NCFC rescued around 20 Naga youths and sent them home. For more information NCFC Pastor Wapangtoshi (09840127998) and NSUC President Lopen Pongen (09962404262) may be contacted.
