Indian National Killed, Another Injured While Serving in Russian Army: Centre Responds
In a tragic incident, one Indian national has been killed, and another is currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained while serving in the Russian army. Both individuals were reportedly recruited by the Russian military to fight in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the deaths, stating that they are working closely with Russian authorities for the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased and the early discharge of the injured person. Both victims are from Kerala, according to the official statement.
The tragic event has raised serious concerns about the ongoing recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian army, a practice that has been under scrutiny for months. Last year, a network of human traffickers was uncovered in India, luring young men with promises of lucrative jobs or educational opportunities in Russia. However, many of these individuals were ultimately forced to fight in the war, sparking a diplomatic crisis between India and Russia.
India has now strongly demanded that Russia verify and halt any further recruitment of Indian nationals into its army. The Indian government has reiterated its position that Indian citizens should not be lured into dangerous and illegal recruitment schemes, particularly involving foreign conflicts. The MEA has been in regular communication with Russian authorities to ensure that no more Indian nationals are conscripted into the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The issue came to the forefront in May, when Indian police arrested four individuals linked to a human trafficking network. These traffickers were found to be actively recruiting young Indian men to serve in the Russian army under the false pretense of securing jobs or university placements. The situation escalated when several Indian nationals were confirmed to have lost their lives while serving in the Russian military. This led to India’s demand for an official halt to the recruitment process and a public warning for Indian citizens to be cautious when seeking employment in Russia.
In response to this alarming situation, India has been working tirelessly to secure the release and repatriation of its citizens from the Russian army. In September, the Indian government successfully facilitated the discharge of about 45 Indian nationals who were serving in Russia’s military. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the early discharge of an additional 50 individuals, who are believed to be still serving under potentially exploitative and hazardous conditions.
The MEA has emphasized its commitment to protecting the interests of Indian nationals abroad, particularly in situations where individuals are coerced into dangerous circumstances. In this case, the recruitment of Indian nationals to fight in foreign conflicts without their full consent or understanding of the risks involved is a serious violation of human rights.
As India works with the Russian authorities to bring the bodies of the deceased nationals home and ensure the safe repatriation of the injured, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by human trafficking and illegal recruitment practices. The government continues to urge its citizens to exercise extreme caution when considering employment opportunities in foreign countries, especially those tied to unstable political situations or armed conflicts.
Refrence From: www.ndtv.com