A Jharkhand worker is killed in Niger terror attack, his family is now squeezed between company and contractor
Dumka, Jharkhand – What started as a journey to earn a better livelihood ended in horror for 32-year-old Shivnath Murmu, a tribal laborer from Dumka district. He died in a deadly terrorist strike in Niger, West Africa, while working on a remote mining project. His devastated family now faces a difficult battle. They’re stuck between the company that oversaw the project and the contractor who sent him abroad.
This tragedy sheds light on the dangerous realities Indian workers often face overseas, especially those from marginalized communities.
Left Home with Hope, Returned as News
Shivnath, a father of two, had been struggling to support his family with limited income from farming. When an opportunity arose through a Kolkata-based contractor to work in Niger, he saw a chance to change his family’s future. The promise included a steady salary, food, and accommodation.
However, when he reached Niger, he found things weren’t as promised. He had no formal employment contract. There was no mention of health insurance or legal documentation. Despite the risks, he stayed, hoping the income would help his family back home.
Terror Strikes the Mining Camp
On July 25, armed extremists stormed the mining camp in southern Niger’s Sahel region, a place often hit by Islamist militants. Thirteen workers were killed. Among them were four Indians, including Shivnath.
The news reached his family not through government officials, but from another worker who survived. The family waited for confirmation from authorities, but no official word arrived. The shock soon turned to grief, and then confusion.
No Body, No Closure
Shivnath’s wife, Kiran, is shattered. “We haven’t received his body. How will we perform his last rites?” she asked. She still clings to hope that his remains will be returned, but there’s no timeline.
The family has contacted local authorities and sent letters to the Ministry of External Affairs. They’ve begged for help, but government response has been minimal so far.
No One Accepts Responsibility
The family’s biggest struggle now is determining who’s responsible. The mining company claims Shivnath wasn’t their direct employee. The contractor who recruited him has stopped answering phone calls.
“We feel abandoned,” said Ramesh Murmu, Shivnath’s older brother. “No one is ready to take responsibility. Without official recognition, we can’t claim compensation or support.”
The absence of a formal employment agreement has made things worse. His family cannot access insurance, state compensation for terror victims, or even migrant welfare funds.
Dangerous Gaps in Worker Protection
Shivnath’s story isn’t unique. Thousands of Indian laborers travel abroad through unregulated channels. Many come from poor regions like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Most of them are recruited by local agents or contractors who bypass legal safeguards.
“Workers from tribal regions are often exploited,” explained Sudha Kumari, a local rights activist. “They don’t get contracts, medical insurance, or safety guarantees. Once they leave India, they’re invisible to the system.”
Government schemes like the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana exist, but aren’t always enforced. Many workers don’t even know they should be registered under these plans.
Local and Political Reaction
The incident has triggered widespread outrage in Jharkhand. Chief Minister Champai Soren has demanded immediate action. “The Centre must bring back the bodies and help the families. We also need to crack down on illegal labor recruitment,” he said.
Dumka’s local MLA visited the Murmu family and promised assistance. However, without swift coordination between state and central authorities, meaningful help seems unlikely.
A Widow’s Plea
Kiran Murmu now faces a grim future. She has no income, no legal documents, and no support system. With two small children, she doesn’t know how she’ll survive.
“I don’t understand legal papers or officials. I only want my husband’s body back and help to raise my children,” she said, her voice trembling.
The panchayat has requested immediate financial relief. They’ve also urged officials to include Kiran and her children under state schemes for terror victims.
A System That Needs Repair
Shivnath Murmu’s death should not be in vain. His story exposes systemic gaps in how India handles overseas labor, especially for informal and vulnerable workers.
To prevent future tragedies, the government must enforce strict checks on overseas recruitment. Workers should not leave the country without contracts, insurance, and registration. There must be a proper grievance mechanism in place for families when things go wrong.
Thousands like Shivnath take risks to support their families. They deserve dignity, protection, and accountability—not abandonment.
