 Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 20: A glimmer of hope has emerged for two families in Akhnoor, Jammu, as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken cognizance of their plea regarding two local youths who have been trapped in war-torn Russia under highly distressing circumstances.
The families of Sachin Khajuria and Sumit Sharma, both residents of Akhnoor, are living in constant fear after learning that their sons have been allegedly misled by agents and deployed into combat zones near Ukraine. Their appeal for help reached Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament from Jammu-Samba, who immediately intervened and raised the issue with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
In a written request submitted to the MEA, the families described how the two youths had fallen prey to fraudulent promises. They were reportedly assured admission into Russian educational institutions along with part-time non-combat jobs such as construction-related work. However, soon after their arrival in Russia, they were allegedly forcibly pushed into the Russian military effort, serving in active combat zones despite lacking training or preparedness.
“This is a matter of life and death. Our children went with dreams of studying and working, but they have been deceived and placed directly in the line of fire,” one family member said, adding that they have been unable to maintain regular contact with their sons due to the ongoing conflict. According to the complaint, the recruitment was facilitated by an agent identified as Ms. Anastasia, who lured them with attractive offers of education and work abroad. Instead, the youths were allegedly coerced into joining dangerous military assignments in areas close to the Russia-Ukraine war front.
This alarming trend of Indians being tricked into combat roles has already been reported from other parts of the country in recent months, promp A glimmer of hope emerges for two families in Akhnoor as the MEA has taken cognizance of their plea regarding two local youths trapped in war-torn Russia.
Two youth have been allegedly misled by agents and deployed into combat zones near Ukraine.
Their appeal for help reached Jugal Kishore Sharma, MP from Jammu-Samba, who immediately intervened and raised the issue with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
They were assured admission into Russian educational institutions. However, soon after their arrival in Russia, they were allegedly forcibly pushed into the military.
Lok Sabha MP Jugal Kishore Sharma took up the matter with the External Affairs Minister, highlighting the grave humanitarian concern involved. In his communication, he emphasized that both youths are bona fide residents of his constituency and that their families are desperate for their safe return.
“I have urged the External Affairs Minister to intervene immediately and take up the matter with Russian authorities on humanitarian grounds. These are innocent boys who were deceived under false promises and pushed into a war they have nothing to do with,” Sharma said.
Officials in the Ministry of External Affairs are now closely examining the case. Sources indicated that the MEA is likely to engage with the Indian Embassy in Moscow and seek clarification from Russian authorities on the whereabouts and status of the two youths. Diplomatic channels may also be utilized to negotiate their release and safe repatriation to India.
Meanwhile, the families of Sachin and Sumit remain anxious, waiting for any word of assurance. Their ordeal highlights the emotional trauma faced by parents of youths trapped in foreign conflict zones. For them, the government’s intervention is the only hope.
“We just want our sons to come back alive. Nothing else matters to us. We appeal to the Government of India to bring them back safely,” a family member said with folded hands.
The incident has once again raised questions about the role of unscrupulous agents who exploit young aspirants with dreams of studying and working abroad, only to abandon them in dangerous and unlawful circumstances.
With the MEA expected to act swiftly, the families are clinging to the hope that their sons will soon be reunited with them in Akhnoor, safe from the horrors of a war they never chose to be part of. |
