TN worker shot dead by Libyan Army: Vaiko

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko on Wednesday alleged that the Libyan army had shot dead an Indian worker there and the authorities of the violence-torn country falsely claimed it to be a death in a road accident.

In letters to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, Vaiko said 42-year-old Murugiah from Tirunelveli district was shot dead by the Libyan Army after it ordered the workers to vacate their place of accommodation.

"On February 22, they were forced by the army to vacate the place and the army opened fire at the Indian labourers, killing Murugiah and injuring Ashok Kumar," he claimed, adding that this information had been shared by the workers with their relatives back home.

The external affairs ministry had on Tuesday said a group comprising three Indians and two Egyptians were trying to cross over to Egypt by car from Tobruk, a city in north-eastern Libya, on February 19 when their vehicle was involved in a head on collision. The three Indians suffered serious injuries and Murugaiah died later at a hospital.

Vaiko said the semi-skilled workers, employed with the Hyundai Group in Libya, had informed their relatives about this incident, but the Libyan authorities had not revealed it and stated Murugiah was killed in accident.

"It is regrettable that the external affairs ministry has also accepted the Libyan authorities' version... The Centre must take all steps to immediately bring Murugiah's body to Tamil Nadu and ensure adequate compensation from Hyundai," he said.

Vaiko urged that the Centre should ensure the safety of the remaining Indian workers in Libya.

Murugiah's wife Vellathai, in a petition to the Tiruneveli district collector, claimed that her husband, among a group of 24 workers from Tamil Nadu and on contract with Hyundai, was killed in gunfire during violence.