TN worker killed in Libyan violence: Family

Tirunelveli (TN), Feb 22 (PTI) A 42-year old contractworker from Tamil Nadu employed with a Korean group has beenkilled and another seriously injured in gunfire during theanti-government violence in Libya, the victim''s family said.

The fate of his 22 other colleagues, who also hailedfrom remote Thalaivankottai village in the district, was notknown, according to Vellathai, who gave a petition to theDistrict Collector seeking steps to retrieve the body of herhusband.

Vellathai, in her representation to M Jeyaraman, saidher husband''s colleague Ashok Kumar informed the family onFebruary 20 about the death of Murugaiah, employed withHyundai group.

She said Kumar also told her he was seriously injuredin the gunfire that caused a blaze in the camp where theworkers had been put up.

Vellathai sought intervention of the Union governmentto bring back the body of her husband and also ascertainthe condition of others whose names were listed in thepetition.

"We are desperately looking for government''s help toretrieve and bring back the body of my husband and to know thestatus of other labourers," she said.

According to the petitioner, 24 semi-skilled workersfrom the village were employed on a two-year contract by theKorean company for erecting electricity towers on a monthlysalary of Rs 30,000.

The workers are allowed four days leave annually tovisit their homes and they were to come this month-end, asobbing Vellathai told reporters.