Lt Governor of Andaman assures Nitish of safe release of labourers

Patna, June 9 (UNI) Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Bhupendra Singh today assured Bihar Chief Miniister Nitish Kumar that steps had been taken to ensure safe return of Bihari labourers in captivity in the islands.

Responding to concern expressed by Mr Kumar over the plight of 78 labourers hired by private contractors from Bihar,Mr Singh informed Mr Kumar that the return journey to the home state of the labourers was likely to commence on June 17.

One of the labourers,however,had opted to stay back in the islands and he would not be forced to leave,he said.

''Labourers,on their return, would be suitably rehabilitated,'' Mr Kumar said, adding that two separate teams of officials had been deputed to carry out the safe return of the captives.

An FIR had already been lodged in Begusarai against the two private contractors who had allegedly allured the labourers to migrate to Andaman.

UNI