Himalayan News Service

Lahan, May 26

A large number of unemployed youth in Siraha district who go to neighbouring India to work return back without any payment for several months while some go missing.

Many school-going kids have also been found cheated by moderators who lure their parents for a well-paid job. Buddham Saday, a resident of ward no 1 of Lahan municipality has become a victim of a similar kind. It was two years ago, when Buddham handed over his seven-year-old son to a moderator, Phulbar Miyan, who had promised him a good work for his son. In this two-year period, Buddham received just Rs 1100 in Indian currency as his son’s remuneration.

Whenever, he used to ask for more Phulbar used to reply that the money has not arrived. Following this, Buddham requested Phulbar to bring his son back but the moderator made several excuses and he even threatened him at times, said Buddham in a conversation with The Himalayan Times.

Following the incident, it was revealed that Phulbar Miyan a resident of the district had lured many innocent and poor villagers in the district and taken away their children to India assuring them of good jobs.

Indra Sadaya, 19, a resident of ward no-2 of Lahan municipality who had accompanied Phulbar to India for work as a similar story to tell. Indra was a member of a group of 11 that had been taken by Phulbar to Haryana in India. Indra landed with a job of cutting grass at the house of Chandra Singh in Hariyana but he received only Rs 3,500 for 18 months. The remaining amount was taken away by the moderator, Phulbar, claims Indra. Likewise, Jitendra Mandal, nine-year-old son of Janak Lal Mandal of the same municipality was also taken to India for work by Phulbar, but his whereabouts is unknown.

Janak Lal has filed a complaint at the Area Police Office, Lahan informing them about their missing son. Prakash KC, former deputy mayor of Lahan municipality said it has been learnt that Phulbar Miyan has built a house in Hariyana, Punjab of India and he comes to Nepal quite often. And many poor and helpless people here get influenced by his fake promises.

Following these incidents, the local people here in Siraha have been demanding that the local administration take stern action to help the poor and helpless from being ruined.