New Delhi: An Indian man working for the Russian army in the war against Ukraine has appealed to the Narendra Modi government to secure the release of all Indians at the earliest.
In a recent message, 47-year-old Urgen Tamang, who hails from Kalimpong in West Bengal, sent a fresh video to Rabi Pradhan, chairman of the board of administrators of Kalimpong Municipality.
Claiming that 13 of the 15 non-Russians in his group have been killed in the ongoing war, Tamang pinned hopes on Modi’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin for his release and safe return to India.
“I have been stuck in the Russia-Ukraine war since March this year. There have been several casualties. There were 15 non-Russians with me. Out of them 13 have been killed. Only we two are alive – me and another one from Sri Lanka,” Tamang said in the video.
Tamang, a former Defence personnel and father of two minor girls, served the Indian Army for 18 years before taking up a job offer in Russia four months ago.
He claimed his agents promised him a security personnel’s job in Russia, but was sent to the war against Ukraine.
“I have been in touch with the chairman (of board of administrators) of Kalimpong Municipality. He used to enquire about my wellbeing. He informed me that Modi visited Russia and held talks with the Russian President so that all Indians may be released at the earliest. I am very happy. I think I would be able to reach home alive,” Tamang said.
He had released another video in the last week of March, saying that he was forcibly sent to the war zone after weapon-training programme of 10-12 days.
Pradhan told Hindustan Time that he speaks to Tamang almost every day.
“For the last couple of days, he has been near Crimea. He and a few other non-Russians were sent to Crimea for rest and are in a bunker, but they will again be sent to the war front,” Pradhan said.
In his recent meeting with Modi in Moscow, Putin reportedly agreed to discharge all Indian nationals working in its army.
At least 4 Indians have lost their lives fighting in Russia’s conflict against Ukraine.
