Body of Indian worker arrives in Punjab from war ravaged Iraq

The body of an Indian worker, Shemshar Singh, who died while returning home from war-torn Iraq, has arrived at his home in Punjab's Gurdaspur District.

Shemshar, 24, who belonged to Gurdaspur district of the state, was returning back from Iraq with 11 other colleagues on June 22, when he fell seriously ill and was admitted to Sharjah hospital in Dubai.

Shemshar's father Succha Singh criticised the government for not taking adequate steps for early return of his son.

"The government said that my son had called them and he was fine. The government also said they had sent teams over there but it is not true. They had not sent any teams and if they would have sent then my son would have come back alive. This is all drama," said Singh.

The news came as a shock to the family members of Shemshar, who went to Iraq four months back, to earn money as they belong from a poor background.

Shemshar's father also urged the government to send teams to bring the rest of the stranded workers back.

"I request that those still held in captivity should be brought back early. Their lives should not be sacrificed in the war like my son. The government should send teams to bring them back safely," Singh added.