27 Indians stranded in Myanmar return safely, says Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu

As many as 27 Indian nationals, who were allegedly taken to Myanmar with false job promises and later forced into cyber fraud activities, were brought back safely to India on Saturday following the intervention of Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.

According to sources, the group, comprising youths from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, travelled to Myanmar a few months ago after being assured of employment opportunities. However, they allegedly found themselves trapped in exploitative conditions and were forced to participate in cyber scam operations, besides facing physical abuse and harassment.

The victims are said to have conveyed their plight through video messages to Mr. Naidu, claiming they were trafficked and held under coercive conditions near the border. Moved by their accounts, the Minister took up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and wrote to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, seeking urgent intervention to ensure their safe return.

Subsequently, the Ministry of External Affairs, in coordination with the Indian Embassy in Yangon, arranged their repatriation. The returnees reached New Delhi on Saturday morning, officials said.

The rescued persons expressed relief and thanked the Union Minister for facilitating their return. Officials arranged their onward travel to their native places in districts including Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Annamayya, besides parts of Hyderabad and Jagtial.

Mr. Naidu said the government remained committed to protecting the safety and dignity of Indian citizens abroad and would continue to extend all possible assistance to those in distress.