4 youths held on murder charge in Kuwait let off
Sunday, 31/08/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140831/punjab.htm#4
Jalandhar : Four of the 14 Punjabi youths who were taken into custody by the Kuwait police for allegedly killing two Egyptians during a brawl on Thursday were set free today.
Efforts were on to secure the release of the remaining 10, said Jaswinder Singh of the Punjab Welfare Society in Kuwait.
The released youths confirmed the development while talking to The Tribune over the phone from Kuwait. They said they were let off after the police investigations found that the Egyptians had died a natural death.
The number of the detained youths was yesterday put at 24, but the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed today that the count stood at 14.
Sodhi Singh of Harbadpur village in Kapurthala, said: "Three of the detainees were freed by the police on their own. My release was secured by the company I am employed with."
The youths have now returned to the site of a mosque under construction in Doha along with other fellow Egyptians workers. While a majority of the Indians have been employed as masons, the wooden work is being done by the Egyptians.
Pawan Kumar from Jandu Singha village in Jalandhar said: "The police have assured the safe release of all our fellow Punjabi workers."
Several of the Punjabi youths reportedly turned down the offer of the Indian Mission in Kuwait to send them back (to India) due to the heavy loans they had secured for their visas.
"I came here a few months ago after taking a loan of Rs 1 lakh. If I return to Punjab, how will I pay such a huge amount?" said Sodhi Singh, who had sustained injuries in the brawl.
Sodhi's wife Manpreet Kaur has appealed to the Punjab Government and the Centre to ensure the safety and treatment of her husband.
Sodhi SinghThree of the detainees were freed by the police on their own. My release was secured by the company I am employed with.
