The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the death of a second Indian in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, demonstrating the toll the crisis is having on Indians who have been persuaded to operate with the Russian military. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided visa recruiters across India this week and filed cases against them for human trafficking and tricking people into travelling to Russia where they were forced into dangerous jobs. This was in response to the story of dozens of Indians trapped at the front lines of the war. A large number of them fell for internet video ads that claimed to offer “safe jobs” in the military away from the front lines, even hinting at more lucrative positions in the nearby European Schengen States. The MEA has now released comments and warnings urging people not to be “swayed” by such people. The government and India’s embassy in Moscow announced they are coordinating with the Russian Army for early discharges to repatriate the Indians following the release of recordings showing Indians stationed in regions seeing live combat along the front between Russia and Ukraine in newly captured lands.
The families of the two men, from Hyderabad and Surat, whose corpses have not yet been sent home, find the government’s activities to be very belated and uninspiring. There have been serious injuries to others. The most astonishing thing is that, despite the fact that it is obvious that the internet recruitment and advertisements have been going on for months, the government has only just begun to discuss the risks posed by Russian offers of military employment. The issue appears to have just come to the attention of the government when a Hyderabadi MP wrote to the MEA in January requesting help in repatriating some of his constituents. Authorities have since provided hazy estimates of the number of people (“roughly 20”) who may have previously visited dangerous areas. At least 35 men have been identified as a result of the CBI operations. Those in Russia have reported that the figure is far more than 100. The government, while having strong connections with Moscow, needs to explain why it has not been able to convince the Russian authorities to forcefully bring back all the guys. Concerning the reason behind its approval of a huge recruiting push to Israel, another conflict zone, it has similarly evaded questions. It will need a more methodical, open, and compassionate approach to demonstrate to partners overseas and on a national level that Indian lives count. The tough economic conditions back home make it important not just to get them home safely but also to make sure no one else is placed in danger.
Abhishek Verma
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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