Tamil National Alliance MP P Ariyanenthiran called for the release of Tamil labourers, held against their will in Kurdistan.
Over 100 Tamils from Batticaloa were being held as hostages, he charged in the letter dated August 11, adding that family members of the men approached him about the issue.
"[...] hundreds of employees [...] have been taken into custody as hostages by the Iraq forces of in Kurdistan Republic of Iraq where severe [clashes are taking place]," Mr Ariyanenthiran said in the letter.
"Family members of the employees brought it to my notice that [hundreds] of employees from Batticaloa district also include [sic] with them."
The MP’s letter emerged a day after the Kurdistan Regional Government denied that Tamil men were being forcefully detained and made to work in support of the Kurdish military, including unloading arms and constructing fortifications.
Ongoing concern for Tamil workers in Kurdistan, KRG denies forced labour (22 Aug 2014)
Tamils forced to work for military in Kurdistan (15 Aug 2014)
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