Nizamabad: Hundred of Indian workers, mostly Telugus, have been detained in Malaysia for overstaying without valid papers. Sources say as many as 230 Indians were arrested in the past two days and the Malaysian police is continuing the crackdown.

Most of the youths who are stuck in Malaysia are from Nizamabad, Adilabad and Karimnagar districts and they are in this situation because their agents allegedly cheated them. The agents collected as much as Rs 1.50 lakh from candidates and sent them to Malaysia on tourist visas, promising to get them work visas soon.

Speaking to DC from Malaysia on Wednesday night, Mahender (name changed) of Kammarpally mandal, who is overstaying there, said that a few of his friends had been detained by the Malaysian police. “Due to debts we are unable to return to India empty handed and are forced to stay illegally here to earn Ringgits (Malaysian currency),” he said.

“Agents assured us that they would provide work visas after the tourist visa expired in three months, but in vain,” he added.

The Malaysian government has asked all illegal migrants to leave the country immediately. It has also come to light that few Indian workers are not being paid by companies where they work, as they can’t press charges due to their illegal status.

The stranded youths have urged the Indian High Commission authorities in Kuala Lumpur to ensure their safe return.

Around 600 youth from Nizamabad district have gone to Malaysia in search of work. Their family members are now worried about their safety. They have urged the elected representatives and the NRI department of Telangana to be proactive and bring back the stranded youth from Malaysia.

Meanwhile, sensing trouble, the sub agents have disappeared from the villages.