Sudan Crisis: Concerned families whose members are stranded in violence-hit Sudan are desperately waiting for information about their relatives. He appealed to the government to evacuate them from the crisis-hit African country at the earliest. At least 185 people, including an Indian, were killed and over 1,800 injured in fighting in Sudan on Saturday.
What did the Karnataka government say
Davanagere DM Shivanand Kapashi said that we have come to know that 39 people are stranded in the war-affected area of Sudan.
“We are in touch with them. They are all in touch with the Indian Embassy. I requested their family members to have some strength and follow the instructions given by the Indian Embassy,” he said.
Concerned relatives appeal
Albert Augustine, a retired Indian soldier, was killed on 15 April when a stray bullet struck him while standing near the window of his flat in Khartoum.
Mansi Sheth, whose father is stuck in the country following clashes between the Sudanese army and a rival paramilitary force, said she is worried about his safety.
She said that her 63-year-old father was in Sudan on a business trip and was scheduled to return to Mumbai on Saturday (April 15). He was at the airport when he was informed that the flight had been cancelled.
He was not allowed to leave the airport along with other passengers. When they were allowed to leave the airport after a few hours, they had to walk to their hotels as no vehicles were available there.
“I am worried about my father as he is a senior citizen and has health issues. I could talk to him for a while this morning (Wednesday) but after that there was no contact. We just want to know whether it is safe or not.” Sheth told PTI.
“He has sleep apnea for which he requires anti-seizure medication and also uses a medical device (CPAP) which was unfortunately checked at the airport on Saturday. So desperate to get out.” are from Sudan as they have enough medicines for the next three days.”
There is no electricity in many areas of the city and the hotel where Seth’s father is staying has a generator running, which has limited capacity.
Seth said that he also has some relatives in Sudan who told him that the security situation in the country is very bad and there is no end to the violence despite the declaration of a ceasefire.
India is closely coordinating with various countries, including the US, the UK and Saudi Arabia, to ensure the safety of Indian nationals in violence-hit Sudan, government sources said in New Delhi on Wednesday.
He said the situation on the ground in Sudan is “very tense” and movement of people is “very risky” at the moment.
What did the Ministry of External Affairs say
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has already spoken to his counterparts in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on the situation in Sudan and has assured them of practical support for the safety of Indians in that country.
Sheth said that her relatives told her that Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) was looting and even taking residents’ cars.
People have been told to puncture their cars and empty their fuel tanks to prevent RSF from taking their cars.
He said that he has full faith in the government and urged the government to evacuate all the stranded Indians there soon.
Another woman, who did not wish to be identified, told PTI that her husband was trapped in a hotel in Khartoum. He said that the hotel guests are hiding in the basement of the hotel to save their lives.
He said, “There is a jungle raj in Sudan. There is no value of life in the country. Soldiers indulge in looting and kidnapping. There is no government in the country.” But did not share details about her husband due to security reasons.
The woman said that the Indians stuck in the hotels are worried about their safety and are at the mercy of the hotel staff. “As looting is happening everywhere, there is limited supply of food in hotels, and no electricity and internet services. If the situation worsens, hotels may shut down and these people will have no one to go to,” he said. There won’t be room.”
He shared that some people in the hotel are waiting to go back to India for medical treatment. “The Government of India is doing everything possible to evacuate its citizens safely,” he said.
“The threat is real. The situation is showing no signs of getting better or calming down. Our only appeal to the government is to evacuate its citizens at the earliest,” he said. Question.
Indians in Sudan
Out of about 4,000 Indians in Sudan, the Indian community now numbers about 1,200 in Sudan, which has been around for 150 years. Other members of the Indian expatriate community are working as professionals in key sectors of the Sudanese economy. There are some Indians working in UN missions and other international organizations.
Sudanese army, its rivals announce another ceasefire
Terrified Sudanese trapped in their homes by days of fighting in the capital of Khartoum fled on Wednesday, carrying whatever belongings they could and trying to get out of the city, as the army and its paramilitary rival launched a new crackdown. Did a 24-hour ceasefire after a failed ceasefire a day earlier.
Both sides separately announced they would adhere to a new halt in the fighting that came into effect on Wednesday evening. Residents reported that sporadic gunfire and explosions could still be heard, pointing to the fragility of the efforts.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called on both sides on Wednesday to stand by the ceasefire, “abandon violence and return to dialogue”. He said the country’s two top generals, whose military has turned the capital into a war zone for the past five days, are “responsible for ensuring the safety of civilians and non-combatants.”
(with inputs from agencies)