As many as 31 people belonging to the Hakki-Pikki tribal community of Karnataka are stranded in Sudan, where rival factions of the ruling military regime have been battling for control of the African nation.
In a letter to external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, CPI parliamentarian Binoy Viswam has sought safe passage for the Indians trapped in the war zone without "access to drinking water or food".
Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority commissioner Manoj Rajan said: “We have got a message that a group of 31 people hailing from Karnataka are stranded in Sudan. We have informed the ministry of external affairs.”
Karnataka Congress leader Siddaramaiah urged the Indian government to intervene and bring the stranded people back to the country. “It is reported that 31 people from Karnataka belonging to the Hakki Pikki tribe are stranded in Sudan which is troubled by civil war. I urge @PMOIndia @narendramodi, @HMOIndia, @MEAIndia and @BSBommai to immediately intervene & ensure their safe return,” he tweeted.
The Hakki Pikkis are stuck in Sundan without food for the past few days and the government has not yet initiated action to bring them back, he alleged.
Responding to Siddaramaiah’s tweet, Jaishankar said: "Simply appalled at your tweet! There are lives at stake; don’t do politics. Since the fighting started on April 14th, the Embassy of India in Khartoum has been continuously in touch with most Indian Nationals and PIOs in Sudan."
In his letter to Jaishankar, the CPI's Viswam said: "Continuation of warfare in Sudan is of critical concern for us....
"One Mr Albert Augustine from Kannur district of Kerala, working with a security company in Sudan, was killed after armed conflict erupted in Khartoum. This has raised very serious concerns about the safety and survival of Indians who are stuck in war-torn Sudan. Developments in Sudan are particularly worrying as many Indian nationals are stranded in areas where gunfire, shelling andbombings are frequent.
"Reports have come of at least 31 residents of Karnataka being stuck in the Sudanese city of El Fasher without access to drinking water or food. Similarly, hundreds of Indian nationals, particularly from Kerala and Karnataka, are stranded in precarious conditions all over Sudan facing a great threat to their lives.
"...In view of the deteriorating situation in Sudan, I urge you to use diplomatic channels to engage with the belligerents for immediate cessation of hostilities and safe passage for Indians stuck in all parts of Sudan."