Ara: Families of six youths hailing from Bhojpur and Buxar have appealed to the government and the local MP to ensure their safe return from Malaysia, where they have been arrested for overstaying after their 15-day tourist visas expired.

Anil Singh of Vishen Tola, Jagdishpur, Munna Thakur, Raj Kumar and Collector Singh of Jagdishpur block, Sunil Kumar and Dayashankar Mahato of Kuruthia village in Buxar district were lured by an agent with the promise of plum jobs in Malaysia. The youths had to pay the agent lakhs of rupees.

The six men flew out of Chennai on June 9 this year and were in contact with their family members till July 7 on the numbers made available by the agent. But thereafter, the number was switched off, causing tension to the family members.

After arrest, the six contacted the Indian embassy in Malaysia and then, the family members were informed through email. The family members submitted a petition to the local MP R.K. Singh and requested him for their safe return to India. When the family members contacted the Indian embassy in Malaysia, they were told the youths were arrested for violating their visa stay limit.

The MP said he would write to the Centre.