Jharkhand migrant dies in Saudi gunfire; officials race to bring body home

Jharkhand migrant dies in Saudi gunfire; officials race to bring body home

A quiet village in Jharkhand’s Giridih district is in mourning after news broke that 26-year-old migrant worker Vijay Kumar Mahato was killed in a shootout in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Mahato, a tower line fitter employed by a private company, had been working in Jeddah for the past nine months. On October 16, he reportedly found himself caught in a crossfire between Jeddah police and an extortion gang, according to activists working on migrant-rights issues.

His last communication, a WhatsApp voice message to his wife, Basanti Devi, revealed that he had been injured. The family, hoping for his recovery, was devastated when they were informed a week later that he had succumbed to his injuries.

Labour department steps in

After learning about the incident, the Jharkhand Labour Department swung into action. Officials confirmed to PTI that the Migrant Control Cell has reached out to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to facilitate the repatriation of Mahato’s body.

“We got in touch with the Indian Embassy immediately and are trying to contact Jeddah police authorities for completing the formalities and then bring back the body to his native place in Jharkhand,” said Shikha Lakra, team leader at the Migrant Control Cell.
Officials said coordination is ongoing between the embassy and Saudi authorities to expedite paperwork and ensure the body’s safe return to India.

Social activist calls for compensation

Sikander Ali, a social activist who works closely with migrant labourers, said he learned about the case through local networks and alerted both the Giridih district administration and the state labour department.

“It’s not enough to just bring the body back. The government should ensure compensation from Saudi authorities for the victim’s family. They have lost their only earning member,” Ali told PTI.

He added that Mahato had taken up overseas work to support his wife and extended family in Dudhpaniya village under Madh Gopali panchayat in Dumri block, hoping to build a better life.

Trapped in crossfire

According to initial information cited by PTI, the shootout occurred when Jeddah police engaged an extortion gang, and Mahato was caught in the crossfire while working nearby. The private company he was employed with informed his family of his death on October 24, nearly a week after the incident.

As of Friday (October 31), officials said efforts are ongoing to complete legal formalities in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah are assisting with documentation and coordination. Once clearance is obtained, the body will be flown back to Jharkhand, where local authorities will oversee final rites.