Khotang, July 17

As many as 12 Nepali youths who had been stranded in Saudi Arabia for months returned home last night.

A group of 15 youths had left for the Gulf country to work as salespersons and mechanics through H Gulf Group, a manpower agency, seven months ago.

Of them,12 youths returned home after their employer Sami Ibrahim Anbu Alsamat Contracting East Company did not pay them for the last four months.

They said they were forced to do different jobs, not mentioned in their contracts  and their employer didn’t provide them salary and accommodation.

The stranded youths had been taking shelter at the Nepali Embassy in Riyadh for the past three months.

The victims have been identified as Tara Karki and Kaji Karki of Udaypur, Jeevan Mahato, Kapil Syangtan, Ashok Lama and Bhakti Chaudhary of Chitwan and Jeet Bahadur Thapa and Deep Bahadur Thapa of Jhapa.

Similarly, Thir Bahadur Thapa of Sindhuli, Susan Khadka of Morang, Bijuli Mukhiya of Rautahat and Bal Hari Pariyar of Bhaktapur, are among the returnees, according to Gajendra Khaling Rai of Khotang.

He also informed that the manpower company had managed their return tickets.

Sources said three other youths who had been still stuck in the Gulf country, were also preparing to return home.They have been identified as Dev Bahadur Rana of Parbat, Jok Kumar Rai Danuwar of Mahottari and Prem Raj Limbu of Ilam. Various organisations and  individuals had extended help for their return to Nepal.