Woman trapped in Hong Kong returns home after 12 yrs

A woman trapped in Hong Kong has been brought back home after 12 years with efforts of Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal. The woman, a resident of Bhaini Sahib village of Ludhiana district, visited Nirmal Kutiya, Sultanpur, today with her family to thank Seechewal.

The victim woman said she belonged to a poor family and was a mother of two daughters. She went to Hong Kong in 2012 on a tourist visa, but due to her desire to stay there permanently, she continued to work in Hong Kong. While in Hong Kong, she shared a room with another woman who ousted her from the room they shared jointly.

The victim alleged that she complained to the local police against the woman, shortly after which a local gangster began to threaten her. The move cost her dearly, due to which she had to suffer mental agony for a long time while gangster continued to threaten her.

The victim’s sister, who came to Nirmal Kutiya with her, said, “The other woman threw out her belongings making her homeless, after which my sister approached the local police. That woman was locally well connected. Sometime later, a gangster began to threaten my sister. He has scared her so much that even after returning home, she is still in fear.”

She said her sister had told her through video call this June that her life was in danger in Hong Kong. Victim’s sister said someone from Bhaini village asked her to contact Balbir Singh Seechewal. After which she contacted him and he immediately shared the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy. Due to Seechewal’s efforts, her sister returned after a few months, she said. The victim woman returned to India on October 15.

The victim’s mother, who came with her, said the condition of her daughter in Hong Kong was unbearable for the whole family. She said due to efforts of the Rajya Sabha MP, their daughter returned safely to her family after 12 years.

Seechewal said she was a courageous woman who did not give up the hope of returning home even in difficult circumstances. Thanking the Indian Embassy, Seechewal said the Ministry of External Affairs always made a big contribution due to which Indian girls trapped abroad were brought back safely to India.