MUMBAI:  Amid outrage over the Saudi incident where an Indian woman's hand was chopped off by her employer, Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh urged people to go abroad for employment only through recognized agents to prevent instances of exploitation.

"People should make sure they only go to foreign countries through a recognised agent or don't go at all. There is an awareness needed. Many people go through bogus agents and then these people are not made aware of things like the kind of employment they are getting into or the language of the country where they are going. This is where the problem starts," he said.

He cautioned people against being misguided by agents to get jobs in other countries. They could get into serious trouble if they are not aware of the rules and regulations of the country where they seek employment.

"Through the media, I want to tell people not to be misguided by agents to get jobs in foreign nations. People who go to other countries like this (through bogus agents) are not made aware of the rules of the country and what should be done at critical times," the minister said.

The family of 55-year-old Kashturi Munirathinam, working as a domestic help in Saudi Arabia, has alleged that her right hand was chopped off by her employer when she tried to escape harassment and torture, evoking strong condemnation from India which demanded that a case of attempted murder be lodged against the culprit.

Ms Munirathinam is currently being looked after in a Saudi hospital.

Terming the incident as "unacceptable", External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said the matter has been taken up with Saudi authorities.

Mr Singh was attending an event at the Bombay Stock Exchange where he was felicitated for the success of 'Operation Rahat' conducted by the government in worn-torn Yemen in April this year.

India had evacuated nearly 5,600 people, including 4,640 of its nationals and 960 nationals from 41 countries, from Yemen.

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