Purnia: At least 10 residents of Bihar’s Purnia district are reportedly stranded in Dubai following escalating tensions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict, with families back home urging the government to ensure their safe return.
“Baba, I want to come home. I had gone to Dubai to work in a company. There was bombing near the place where I was staying. The company has locked us inside a room for safety,” said 26-year-old Mahjood Alam, a resident of Banbhag village in Purnia, during a video call with his father.
According to family members, work has been suspended since the reported attacks, and several workers have been confined indoors as a precautionary measure. They have been instructed not to step outside. Local authorities in Dubai have imposed restrictions on movement amid fears that the situation could worsen.
Mahjood had travelled to Dubai six months ago through an agent and was employed in a packaging company. Over the past five months, he had been sending around Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 home every month, helping his seven-member family repay debts incurred during the marriages of his two sisters.
His father, Mo. Muddin Alam, said the family’s financial condition had improved gradually due to the remittances. “Our loans were nearly cleared when we heard about the attacks. That evening, my son called and told us there was bombing near his residence. He was later shifted to another location on government instructions,” he said.
During the video call, Mahjood broke down on seeing his father and expressed his desire to return to the village. “Nothing feels right here anymore. I just want to come home,” he reportedly told his family. The family members said they are observing fasts and praying for his safety.
His mother, Meena Khatoon, said neighbours and relatives frequently visit to inquire about her son. “Ever since he told us about the bombing, we are constantly worried. We thank God that he is safe, but we are unable to eat or sleep properly,” she said.
Several others from Banbhag and nearby villages — including Mohammad Anjar, Mohammad Aftab, Mohammad Mahtab, Mohammad Faizan and Mohammad Asfar Alam — are also stuck in Dubai. They were employed in skilled jobs such as crane operations and earned up to Rs 50,000 per month. Their families say work has come to a standstill after the attacks and anxiety has gripped households in the village.
Arrest after passport loss adds to family’s distress
In a separate case, 26-year-old Mithun Paswan from Sauraha village in Champanagar area has been in custody in Dubai for the past six months after allegedly losing his passport and identification documents. He had gone to Dubai 17 months ago in search of better employment.
His father, Kumud Paswan, alleged negligence on the part of the agent who arranged the overseas job. “We have approached the local police station and even the SP’s office, but no concrete help has come so far,” he said. Following reports of attacks in the region, the elderly parents say they are increasingly anxious about their son’s safety.
The agent, Rajesh Kumar, has denied the allegations, claiming that the arrest was linked to the loss or possible misuse of documents and that efforts are underway through legal channels to secure Mithun’s release.
Families appeal for evacuation
With tensions rising in West Asia, families in Purnia have appealed to the Central government and the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and facilitate the safe return of their relatives. Parents say they are living in constant fear and are praying for their sons to return home safely.
For now, their hopes rest on swift diplomatic action as uncertainty looms over the situation abroad.
