Muzaffarpur Resident Trapped in Senegal Seeks Safe Return as Union Minister Intervenes Uma Shankar Kumar from Muzaffarpur is held captive in Senegal's capital Dakar, forced to work 12 hours a day without pay for four months. Following appeals from his family, Union Minister Dr. Rajbhushan Choudhary has urged the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure his safe repatriation. Uma Shankar Kumar, a resident of Bihar's Muzaffarpur district who traveled to the West African nation of Senegal with hopes of securing a better livelihood, has found himself trapped in severe distress. He is currently being held captive at a hatchery facility in Dakar, where his passport has been seized and his wages withheld for the past four months. Subjected to 12 hours of forced labor daily, he faces constant intimidation whenever he protests. Desperate for help, his family in Bihar has appealed to the Indian government to intervene and facilitate his safe return home. Lured Abroad Under False Promises Uma Shankar, who hails from Kothia village in the Kurhani block of Muzaffarpur district, was previously employed at a hatchery firm in Haryana. During his time there, he met a Nepalese individual who informed him of a job opportunity at 'Jai Lakshmi SRL' in Senegal's capital, Dakar. He was promised a monthly salary of 60,000 INR along with complimentary food and accommodation. Relying on this assurance, Uma Shankar arrived in Senegal on May 17. However, upon arrival, the company management pressured him into signing a contract reducing his salary to 30,000 INR and confiscated his passport and visa. Reports indicate that the owner of the company is originally from the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Confinement and Inhumane Working Conditions Since his arrival, Uma Shankar has been subjected to harsh living and working conditions. According to his family, he has not received any salary for four months. He is strictly prohibited from leaving the company premises and remains in virtual confinement. On many days, he is denied proper meals and must survive solely on bread and soft drinks. Whenever he requests his unpaid wages or asks to return to India, the management retaliates with threats of physical abuse, starvation, and police detention in local jails. Family Struggles Ahead of Daughter's Wedding Uma Shankar had taken the decision to go abroad to improve his family's financial situation and fund his family's needs. His wife, Chandni Devi, shared that their eldest daughter's wedding is scheduled for February. With the primary earner trapped overseas, all wedding preparations have come to a standstill. Chandni Devi is currently taking on tailoring work and borrowing money to feed her children while enduring immense mental strain regarding her husband's safety. Diplomatic Intervention by Union Minister Following appeals from the victim's family, local Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Dr. Rajbhushan Choudhary, took note of the situation. He addressed a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs requesting urgent diplomatic action to rescue the trapped Indian national. Dr. Choudhary also spoke directly with the Minister of State for External Affairs, requesting immediate steps to ensure Uma Shankar's safety and repatriation. The Minister assured the family that coordination is underway with the Indian Embassy in Senegal to secure his early release. What this means for you This incident highlights the severe risks and fraudulent recruitment traps that Indian migrant workers often face when seeking job opportunities abroad. • Across India: Workers migrating to Gulf and African nations must strictly verify job offers through government-registered recruiting agents on the e-Migrate portal. Accepting unverified foreign offers without official validation leaves workers vulnerable to extortion and captivity. • In Bihar: Residents in Muzaffarpur and rural regions should exercise extreme caution against unauthorized middlemen promising high overseas salaries. Job seekers should consult local administration or Ministry of External Affairs helplines to confirm credentials before departure. Why this happened This crisis arose due to deceptive promises made by an unauthorized recruiter and the subsequent violation of worker rights upon arrival abroad. • Deceptive Job Offer: A Nepalese contact in Haryana enticed Uma Shankar with false promises of a 60,000 INR salary, free lodging, and food in Senegal. • Document Confiscation: Upon arrival in Dakar on May 17, the employer seized his passport and visa, effectively stripping him of his mobility and legal autonomy. • Forced Agreement: The employer coerced him into signing a fresh contract for just 30,000 INR, forcing him into 12-hour daily work shifts without compensation. Questions & Answers 1. Who is the Indian national trapped in Senegal and where is he from? The victim is Uma Shankar Kumar, a resident of Kothia village in the Kurhani block of Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. 2. How did Uma Shankar end up going to Senegal? While working in Haryana, he met a Nepalese individual who promised him a monthly job of 60,000 INR at 'Jai Lakshmi SRL' in Senegal, leading him to travel there on May 17. 3. What hardships is Uma Shankar facing in Senegal? His passport and visa were confiscated, his salary has been withheld for 4 months, and he is forced to work 12 hours daily under threats of starvation and detention. 4. What official steps have been taken for his repatriation? Union Minister Dr. Rajbhushan Choudhary wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs and spoke with the Minister of State to facilitate his rescue through the Indian Embassy in Senegal. https://trendkia.com/en/bihar/pashchima-aphriki-desha-senegal-men-phnse-muzaffarpur-ke-uma-shankar-dutavasa-se-madada-aura-vatana-vapasi-ki-guhara-30792 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.