Comedian Bhagwant Mann buys return tickets for 70 Indians stranded in Iraq



Rescuer: Bhagwant Mann is in contact with the stranded youngsters via social media

Comedian-turned-politician Bhagwant Mann has launched a personal rescue mission for the hundreds of Punjab residents stranded in Iraq, as part of which he has bought at least 70 of the youngsters tickets to return home.



Mann is in contact with the stranded youngsters via social media, where many have sent the Sangrur MP videos and photos from the conflict zone.

Mann said on Sunday that one of the videos sent to him at 3.45am in the morning shows a group of youths saying they are in danger and want to return home.



"There are many people who have mortgaged their land or jewellery to go to Iraq, Jordan and other countries. They don't want to come back as there is no source of income here to repay the loans. Most of these youths are working in Al Hilla city, which is close to Karbala," Mann said.

He said the youngsters had been victimised by contractors who had not only withheld their salaries but were also demanding money to return the youths' passports.



"Over the past four days, I have spoken to over 300 youths who are being treated as slaves in Iraq. They resigned and wanted to return home. The biggest problem is that they have not been paid for months together and don't have any money.

