Indian Youth's Harrowing Experience in Russian Detention Center
Deepak, a 25-year-old resident of Haryana, has described his three-month stay in a Russian immigration detention center as a living hell. His ordeal included surviving on minimal bread rations, enduring electric shocks at a police station, and witnessing the tragic suicide of a fellow inmate. This harrowing account sheds light on the plight of many Indian youths trapped in similar situations abroad.
Survival on Bread Amidst Inedible Food
Deepak revealed that the detention center served boiled beef for both breakfast and dinner, which he and other Indian youths avoided due to dietary restrictions. As a result, they subsisted primarily on just three pieces of bread per day. This poor nutrition severely impacted his health, leading to hospitalization for 10-15 days upon his return to India. He emphasized that the harsh conditions and inadequate food were a constant struggle for all detainees.
Electric Shocks and Police Brutality
Before being transferred to the immigration detention center, Deepak faced brutal treatment at a Moscow police station. He alleged that he was kept hungry for three days, given only water to drink, and subjected to electric shocks. This torture compounded the trauma of his detention, highlighting the severe human rights abuses faced by migrants in such facilities.
Job Scam Leading to Detention
Deepak's nightmare began when he left home for Moscow on April 22 last year, lured by a travel agent's promise of a job with a monthly salary of Rs 90,000. The agent charged him Rs 4 lakh for this arrangement. However, after working for a month at the promised company, Deepak was dismissed when he inquired about his salary. The agent then arranged another job 500 kilometers away, but instead of the promised Rs 90,000, he received only Rs 5,000 after a month's work.
Financial Desperation and Passport Seizure
With tight financial conditions, Deepak struggled to afford food and rent. Unable to pay his rent, his landlord confiscated his passport and handed him over to the police. This act set off the chain of events that led to his detention, underscoring the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in foreign countries.
Fellow Detainees and Suicide Incident
Deepak reported that the immigration detention center housed many young men from various countries, including approximately 150 Indians, most from Punjab and Haryana. He recounted the distressing suicide of a young man from Cuba, who took his own life due to severe mental stress from the conditions. This tragedy highlights the psychological toll of such detentions.
Rescue Efforts by Rajya Sabha MP
Deepak's family contacted Rajya Sabha MP Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal on February 2, seeking help for his release. Seechewal's efforts at various levels eventually secured Deepak's safe return to his family on February 17. Deepak personally called on the MP to express gratitude, noting that many other Indian youths remain detained in the center.
Broader Implications and Calls for Action
Deepak's story exposes the dangers of job scams targeting Indian youth and the dire conditions in foreign detention centers. He mentioned that some detainees considered joining the army as a preferable alternative to their current suffering. This account serves as a stark warning and a call for increased vigilance and support for migrant workers abroad.
